Village Mentality with Missy

I was picking up my child when I noticed one kid being picked on by another. It wasn’t loud or extreme, but it was clear enough that someone needed to step in. I walked over and got down to their level. I didn’t raise my voice. I just said, “I see what’s going on, and it needs to stop.” I told the child who was doing the teasing that in our community we don’t treat people that way. Then I checked in with the child who was on the receiving end and asked if they were okay. There was no punishment. No lecture. Just a pause and a reminder. Later, my child asked why I got involved. I told them that looking out for each other is part of being in a community. Sometimes that just means speaking up when something isn’t right. I’m not trying to be a hero. I’m just a parent who believes kids learn the most from what we do in everyday moments.