Would you comment to these parents?
By TriciaW
@TriciaW (2441)
United States
May 23, 2007 6:10am CST
My daughter plays softball and last night was her first game of the season. Now my daughter has dwarfism so she looks like she is much younger then she really is. Last night she got up to bat and the parents of the other team started saying things. They were saying things such as how can that little girl be on the team? She can hardly hold the bat up. She must be the coaches daughter she must be about 4 and he is letting her play. I couldn't sit there without saying a word. I turned to them and said no she is my daughter, she is 12 years old and she has dwarfism. I turned back around and you could have heard a pin drop. None of them knew what to say. I know my tone was a bit harsh but there comments got to me. I am used to people making comments and pretty much handle it with a bit better reaction but last night it just got to me. Should I have kept my mouth shut? What would you have done?
7 people like this
26 responses
@StrawberryKisses (2833)
• Canada
24 May 07
I think you did what any mother would do. What they were saying was totally outta line and they are adults for petes sakes they should know better. I think you should be proud of yourself for sticking up for your daughter and thats the way it should be. I would have done exactly the same thing. My son is actually the opposite he is the size of a 9 yr old and hes only 4 almost 5 and whenever I hear comments about it I freak because there is nothing I haven't tried to keep it undercontrol but nothing works and he is not a big eater. Its just his metabolism.
@tad1fan (3367)
• Canada
13 Jun 07
ITA 100% with what you did and I understand how you felt....I also have a son with dwarfism,he's 19 now but I know what it's like going through their life with them.....when he was in grade 3,every day for the first 3 weeks of school the police would bring him home because someone would always call the police and report a 'small' child roaming the streets of the city.....he would try to tell them that he was 8 but they wouldn't believ him....he was the size of a two year old but didn't want mommy or daddy helping him anymore.....his younger brother stands 6' 4" at 16 years of age while he is 3' 2" at 19......
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
25 May 07
I'm actually glad you spoke up. I know if this would of happened to me, I would of said something myself.
They were in the wrong and they should of known better.
An adult from their team should of stopped the comments. It was ignorant on their half.
I hope your daughter didn't hear the comments? If so, I hope she didn't let it effect her.
@JcHitomi (100)
• Nepal
24 May 07
Served them right. I wouldnt keep my mouth shut if I was there worst I will fight them and give a long mock doing that to my daughter. They dont have the right to say those things especially they know that parents are there too. I guess they were over reacting to the game and they didnt considered that it was just for fun. Some people naturally are so mean and couldnt resist giving bad feed backs if they see people indifferent. Very immature and unprofessional. And Im proud of you by doing that at least they will aware now and knew how to respect peoples disparity.
@Cassy1976 (796)
• Australia
24 May 07
Good on you for doing what you did, I would have done exactly the same thing! I hope these people did shrink into their seats in shame as it was rude of them to say what they did, not everyone fits into the same shape and mold do they???? Your daughter is part of a team and I bet the other members of her team dont see her any differently that they do themselves as a team member, adults can be so narrow minded!!!
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
24 May 07
Good for you actually. I think you handled it just right. They were way out of line and you put them in their place where they needed to be. That's a good thing to do and maybe they will think next time before mouthing off that way. They should have known better to begin with but since they didn't you had every right to tell them to knock it off.
@katisaurus (1038)
• Canada
24 May 07
I would've done the exact same thing as you. It's absolutely dispicable that some people say things like that. It's different to make comments about someone, but when you're criticising them, it's rude, mean and hurtful. Good on you for saying what you said, even if they want to be rude like that, they deserve a harsh tone!
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
23 May 07
Some people are truly ignorant, and rude. I'm glad that you said something to them, and I don't think it was inappropriate what you said. If your daughter had heard, she would have been hurt, and you need to protect her as much as you can, because Lord knows you can't always be there. Those adults should be ashamed of themselves, and problably were. Hopefully it will teach them to keep their mouths shut next time, or to at least be less ignorant about things!
@ldybgsgma99 (798)
• United States
24 May 07
I congratulate you for handling the situation the way you did. I am afraid I would not have been as nice about it as you. I am afraid my red headed temper would have stepped in and got me into trouble.
@bettyrose20 (997)
• Philippines
24 May 07
dont feel guilty on what you did. if ill be on your side, ill do the same thing. parents tend to be protective of their daughters and sons and what you did showed how much you wanted to protect her
@jennysp8 (855)
• United States
24 May 07
I would have done the same thing. Its about time that people like that start considering that their hurtful comments can be heard by those closest to the ones they are making fun of. I think it is great that you called them on it without going into name calling yourself. You did a good thing!!!
@amaleigh73 (499)
• United States
23 May 07
I think you handled it much better than I would have. It is hard enough to hear kids making comments like that, but adults??? They should definitely know better. I guess it is good they were parents for the other team and hopefully you won't have to deal with their rudeness again.
@smiley20903 (495)
• United States
23 May 07
TriciaW you did the right thng..I would have done it to. That just show how some people can be insenative, and dumb. So I am glad you said something.
@stefan_diego (556)
• Canada
23 May 07
That was the best thing to do. It doesn't sound mean at all. They're the ones who should keep their mouth shut. So what if the girl is small or can't handle the bat that well? Kids participate in sports to better themselves, not always to win competition and I'm sure the coach understands that it's about the kids, not the game that's why he let her play right? What you did taught those people a lesson to never comment on other kids or people because they might hurt other peoples feelings. Goodluck.
@princeworthy (1909)
• United States
23 May 07
I would have said something too! People have no right opening their mouths and talking about something they don't know about. They were so quiet because they were caught talking smack and called on it. I think you did the right thing hon!
@stormygrl (761)
• United States
23 May 07
I would had done exactly the same, some people just don't think that could be the child's parents by them and to just shut up. Parents can get very aggresive and loud at these and they're just kids , let them play and have fun!
@jcgbrains (139)
• United States
23 May 07
Good job, that is just what they needed to hear. Further most softball is played in orgainzed leagues that require children to provide a copy of their birth certificate proving their age before they are allowed to play, but what would they know about that.
@miaolin (397)
• China
23 May 07
I think I would do the same thing because it's my child and I should protect him or her.As parents,there is no one can endure others give negative comments,especially their child is misunderstood.I think it's parents' responsiblity to protect their child.
