Elliot and I went to Shabbat services again the other day. He’s getting too big to sleep on my lap, but he did try.
He played baseball outside with a bunch of older boys; I would guess 7 or 8. Elliot is now 4 and a half. They also played dodgeball.
But for baseball, there was one boy in particular who tried to keep him from playing. He would not give Elliot the bat. I finally intervened after Elliot came and got me from services inside.
Elliot batted quite well but didn’t know to run to the base — I haven’t taught him that part yet even though he’s been practicing batting for 2 years now.
Anyway, I left and came out again later. Elliot was sitting alone on the playground. All the boys had gone. He was pensive, looking at the ground.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“That boy took the bat away from me. He wouldn’t let me play,” he said.
I felt terrible. I picked him up in my arms and hugged him,m. I told him I was sorry. But I didn’t know how to help. I wanted to tell him how to stick up for himself, but these boys are older. I felt like I let him down.
