Football

I have a few boys who are wild about football. They play it every recess and really work like a team. There's one little guy in particular who is kind of the self-proclaimed coach and all the kids listen to his orders. Often I hear things coming from him like, "You go there, you--over there, and the rest of you--get him!"

It's quite interesting.

So yesterday a few of my girls decided they'd like to play football for the first time (I think EVER). After a down a couple of them gave up to watch, but three stayed to play. Two of the remaining girls were basically asking "How high?" when told to jump, if you know what I mean. The other little girl--T, we'll call her--not such a fan of having a "coach".

Within five minutes she came crying to me:

T: "THOSE BOYS ARE STEPPING ON MY FEET!"

Me: "Well, they're playing football. That's what happens."

T: "I don't like it at all!!!!"

Me: "Then maybe you should play elsewhere."

T: "I want to play, but I don't like that J is bossing everybody around."

Me: "Honey, the other kids don't seem to mind. He's helping them. If you don't like it, play something else."

T: "BUT I WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL! J is my friend and when I go to his house and he's too bossy, I get to smack him! I can't do that at school anymore!"

Me: "You got that right, sister."


Whoa.