A Columbus, Ohio mother, Merritt Smith shared a photo of her
4yr old daughter accompanied with an open letter on her Facebook page on Oct.
6th to an unnamed hospital employee who told her daughter 'I bet he likes you.'
after the little girl was sent to the hospital to get stitches after she was
hit by a boy at school. What Smith wrote after the cut...
Smith writes:
Smith writes:
"I bet he likes you." Dear man at the registration
desk at Children's hospital, l'm positive that you didn't think that statement
through. As soon as I heard it I knew that is where it begins. That statement
is where the idea that hurting is flirting begins to set a tone for what is
acceptable behavior. My four year old knows "That's not how we show we
like someone. That was not a good choice." In that moment, hurt and in a
new place, worried about perhaps getting a shot or stitches you were a person
we needed to help us and your words of comfort conveyed a message that someone
who likes you might hurt you. No. I will not allow that message to be ok. I
will not allow it to be louder than "That's not how we show we like each
other." At that desk you are in a position of influence, whether you
realize it or not. You thought you were making the moment lighter. It is time
to take responsibility for the messages we as a society give our children. Do
Not tell my 4 year old who needs stitches from a boy at school hitting her
"I bet he likes you." NO.
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