Sometimes you have to be ‘that’ dad

‘that’ dad can be taken many ways.  It’s the dad that is too protective, doesn’t allow freedom, wears annoying clothing or is hopelessly doing something that his children find embarrassing.   In this case I’m talking about that dad (or parent) that stops what’s happening when something is going on that is not right. 

Granted it’s not world peace we’re talking about, but any parent has been on the playground has seen at least one child acting like a bully.  If the child wasn’t acting like a bully, they were at least being dangerous or rude.  It can be tough to correct a child’s behavior that is not yours.  What if the other parent didn’t see the behavior?  What if the parent is a psychotic freak?  What if it was no big deal and you’re just being an overprotective parent?

Last week I was at the park with another dad and his child.  We were returning from the toilet (potty training 3.5 YO Mojo) and saw him having a discussion with an 8 year old boy on top of the large play structure.

My friend:  You heard me, where is your mother?

Kid in tie dye:  She’s not here.

Friend:  Who are you here with?

The kid didn’t say anything, but sheepishly looked at a young 20 something texting on her phone.  He quickly deduced that she was the nanny.

“What’s going on?” I asked him.

Friend:  I saw the tie dye kid push and bully another kid (who was about 5).  (mind you, the pushing happened on the top deck of a play structure.  It had sides to it, but certainly increased any intimidation that the 5 YO felt.  The 5 YO in question was not his or my child.)

By now some of the other mothers had come up and asked what’s going on.  He told them what he just told me and it was only at this point in time that the nanny came over to see what the issue was.

Be ‘that’ dad.

I know nothing about the tie dye kid.  His parent love him, he gets great grades, takes his dog for a walk and treats everyone with respect.  This one time may have been an isolated instance.  Or it could be the way that he acts normally and nobody ever calls him out on it.

The only situation close to that I saw was a couple of older kids rough playing in the kid’s pool.  Nobody was ever in danger, but it was far too rough to be doing around those that were barely toddlers.  I did say something to the kids, but I didn’t make a stink out of it to their parents.  In hindsight I should’ve been that dad and caused a stink.