The first priority, of course, is to protect. Take action to prevent injury! This may involve grabbing a child. The words that accompany this action are important. We need alternatives to “bad boy” or “how could you hurt the baby like that?” or “don’t be mean!” We need words that state your values without attacking the child. “Sisters are not for pushing!” The next priority is to attend to the victim. “Let me kiss that bump to make it feel better. Should we put ice on it?” But it’s not enough to simply draw a line in the sand. You want to head trouble off at the pass so that you don’t have to
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