My four-year-old knows a bully when he sees one

 

Dear Unnamed Presidential Candidate,

So yesterday I had the news on in the kitchen when my four-year-old came into the room. Now since the news was talking about the presidential race and not something scary like war or murder or missing airplanes, I left it on. I like that my kids are learning a little about our democracy. Anyway, he was watching the TV when you came on stage. You spoke, he watched. You were passionate, he listened. And then suddenly you were interrupted by a protestor, and that’s when it got bad. You started calling the protestor a little guy and saying, “Go home to Mommy! Go home to Mommy! Tell her to tuck you in bed.” You had a roomful of people who were on your side, and yet you continued to mock him. And I saw my son’s face go from curiosity to being visibly upset. Like there were actual tears in his eyes when he looked at me and said, “He’s being mean.” Not tough. Not strong. Not presidential. Mean. Now my four-year-old son might not understand half of what goes on in this election (thank God), but he definitely understands something you don’t. How to treat other people. And more importantly, how NOT to.

Sincerely,

A mommy who wishes these candidates would remember that kids are watching

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There are 17 comments for this article
  1. Heather at 10:19 am

    I thought the same exact thing!!! Why resort to name calling? That just shows what kind of person he truly is! A big ol meanie weanie!

  2. Christin at 10:21 am

    I have said since the very first GOP debate they are behaving like four year olds. I need to revise that-even 4 year old kids behave better. It’s like an never ending episode of Jerry Springer.

  3. Tammy MacDonald at 10:29 am

    From the mouths of babes!! Lessons to be learner from a 4 year old.

  4. Carol Byrne at 10:49 am

    It is truly a sad day for our election process to see the demeaning commentary by all candidates. Your son is right. He is being mean and more people should be complaining and letting him know that that type of behavior is unacceptable.

  5. Tandi at 10:52 am

    Unfortunately, the person you are speaking about does not care who is watching. It is very sad to see someone who is such a bully getting so much support. Do people not care that he is awful to others? Kids shouldn’t be the only ones who pick up on this. 🙁

  6. ELBH at 11:12 am

    Sadly he doesn’t care that kids are watching. He provably thinks that’s actually a good thing

  7. MaryAnn Ryan at 11:53 am

    I will repost. This needs to go viral! No one else seems able to stop this maniac. Maybe “from the mouth of babes” might make a difference!

  8. Joseph Kerr at 1:06 pm

    I’m not a fan of Trump, but am curious as to your reason for this. I ask, because there is a lot of shame in politics in and of itself. The fact that Trump acts childlike, and by that I mean not your child, but like a lot of youth out there, is a reason not to like him, a reason not to vote for him. I am curious though what your son’s views are on abortion and those candidates that support it? I ask because being verbally mean to an adult, happens in Congress a lot, in politics a lot, talk shows a lot, Trump being the most easily recognizable. Many people will be angry that I wrote this, and the only reason I am is that someone posted that he is a “maniac”, and name calling in any form is not right, correct? The reason I chose to ask about abortion is it’s polarizing effect, and the fact that it is a charged issue that your son could have heard about, and an essay of this quality could surely be written about the horror a child would think of this subject, correct? As for the politically correct issue of bullying, what makes what he said to the protester bullying. “use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants:” He was childish, and belittling of the person, but bullying? The protester did start it, did he not? No, I don’t think Trump acts very Presidential, we can clearly see that, but have you watched the clips of Clinton when she doesn’t realize she is being covered? How about Rubio? Trump is transparent, but let us not act like the other candidates aren’t power hungry individuals who walked on other people, and don’t bully. Don’t our two parties bully each other when they have a chance? I’ve read how bad the Republican debates are and so immature, so with a wide brush they paint everyone out, yet Kasich has remained above the fray, and actually is a good candidate. The Democrats have been very civil, but considering Clinton is hand-picked already, do you really think Sanders is going to mix it up with her to that point? I like Sanders and would vote for him over Clinton or Trump, Kasich over all, but I do not kid myself about who is or isn’t a bully, or mean. Trump is just the most transparent of the candidates to show his colors for all to see. One would think that alone would wipe out his candidacy….

  9. Tessa Martin at 3:03 pm

    I just don’t understand. To become president of the US, don’t you at least need to be a politician? Now I’m not saying our government or even prime minister, here in the UK, are the best. But at least he understands politics and has politician skills…..like tact for example. We don’t need to worry he’s going to go off on one and start a major war with Russia for example. One of your candidates, let’s call him Mr Angry, does nothing but scream, shout and threaten ANYONE who dares to disagree with him. The fact that he said he would date one of his children was particularly icky…for want of a better word. The thought of Mr Angry becoming the president was so funny at first, but the joke is no longer funny. Please don’t let Mr Angry become the next president. Thanks from me and the rest of the world.

  10. Paige Pryor Holliman (@hollimomma) at 3:15 pm

    You say he was “belittling” the person, and you don’t call that bullying? Bullying, by definition, is the physical and emotional domination of someone. He was very clear in his intent, to “belittle” the protester. He’s incredibly insecure. Only someone with deep-seated insecurities would react the way he does to every challenge. Insecurities can lead to violent and malicious behavior; in Trump’s case, we see both. Why even bring up the issues when she’s brought up an absolutely valid point, that the candidate’s CHARACTER is so bad, it should be drawing even more strident oppositional reactions from the public and media. If a candidate is willing to resort to violence to suppress his opposition, that should disqualify him from office, period. He stated publicly that he will cover the legal fees of his followers who use violence against protesters. Disgusting.

  11. Kevin - Smart Mom Center at 3:31 pm

    I guess you have no idea what could turn out even you are watching something really normal. Now my son is only 1.5 years old, and I am still concern what he should or should not watch when he’s older.

  12. Tristan Leder at 10:55 am

    Agreed-but I don’t think it applies to just one candidate. Pretty much across the board they are all mean, self serving, narcissistic bullies who resort to name calling and character defamation far too often (which is any time, bc it’s never really appropriate). Pretty sure I will be drinking heavily from now until November…