Anger? Is it necessary?

I watch in amusement as the little girl pouts and stomps her way around the playground. She was so filled with anger, but what got her angry in the first place, was a mystery to me. Her anger further amuses a group of boys, who continue to taunt her by imitating her every move, and making her more angry. They were so amused by her anger. This mix of emotions, anger and amusement continues to escalate as they shadowed her around the playground.

The maid of the angry child noticed the harassment and feelings of the child but just brushed it off and told her to stop it. She was also busy watching over a younger toddler and at the same time trying to communicate with some other maids at the playground.

I pitied the little girl and told the boys that what they were doing is not nice. I did not totally blame the boys for doing that. I think most kids do not know how to feel for others, the amusement they got overshadowed empathy. Ironically, they chose happiness over anger.

My two elder boys were observing the children. Was I glad that they were not joining in the taunting! They were just watching the scene being played out, in real life. 'Pang guan ze qing' = Outsiders see a clearer picture. That gave me a good lesson to teach them. I always tell them to choose happiness. Teach them that they are the ones in charge of how they feel, always trying to encourage them to make right choices.

Firstly, the girl chose anger. She chose to be angry when she reached the playground. Instead she could always choose happiness, choose to enjoy herself while at the playground although there were other children around. When the boys started to imitate her, she chose to be more angry. She could ignore them? But yet she chose to let their actions increase the anger.

In fact, I pity the girl. Her anger was ignored. Her parents were not there to teach her to choose happiness. The maid brushed off her feelings as she had to look after a younger child. Was the angry girl jealous of the attention her sibling is getting? Was she angry over having no time spent with her parents? Was she angry that her feelings were ignored? Or was she just an angry person? Should she then be taught anger management? Maybe just more attention and love shown to her would make a difference?

This is also the main reason why I would want to be the main caregiver to my children, especially in their early childhood. I can feel and understand how they feel, or at least try to understand them. I want to be there to tell them and remind them to make right choices. I want to be there to protect them. I want to know what they go through. That is what a mother is. Being there for the children as much as possible. And I am glad that I spent the time with my kids.