Anna & I went to the park near our house this morning but the gates were closed so I guess we were too early. So, we drove up to the park near the Corniche instead. The playground was occupied by a lot of kids. I can't say what nationality but they didn't speak English. Their teachers (?) were with them and the kids and teachers swarmed around Anna, trying to take her hand out of mine, lift up her sunglasses so they could see her eyes, etc. Anna & I pushed our way through the crowd (I'm probably being a bit dramatic, but not much) and went for a walk through the park instead. I don't get it. Anna was obviously uncomfortable so why do they keep pushing?? Poor Anna. I don't know what to say to these people who obviously are just trying to be friendly. I just told Anna we could leave and walk around the park instead and didn't talk to the kids & teachers.
After our walk around the park, we stopped at the playground again because the school-group had left. We had the equipment to ourselves but I guess Anna wasn't having much fun because she said she was ready to go home again.
I guess I'm finding this really frustrating and I don't know what to do about it. I'll have to talk to some of the other moms and see what they have experienced and how they've handled it. I think one person coming up to us is OK, but swarming around a toddler is just not right and I can't think of why the teachers wouldn't tell the kids to back off (because the teachers were part of the swarm!).
I'd be interested to hear what YOU would do/say in this situation. Leave some ideas on the comments section, if you will. I think I'll just start by saying "please don't touch her" and hope that that has some effect.
Scott and I remember having this conversation when we went to visit you in Korea. We decided to see how the kids handled it and try not to let our feelings and discomfort show. We thought that if the kids could not read how we felt, maybe they would be more naturally accepting?? Of course, we did not have to LIVE with it day after day we were just visiting. Raisa seemed to get more of the attention, and she was so much younger than Anna, I don't think she had a sense of personal space yet. I'm sure this is one of those really hard parts of being in a different culture. Mommies want to protect their babies and even when it is "friendly" it is impossible to explain that to Anna. I have been enjoying getting up in the morning and reading about your day! I am going to post about our completed bathroom today!
I think that I would try smiling at the children and maybe getting down at Anna's level and show her that the kids aren't threatening her. If she freaks out, then you just have to pick her up. You want her to learn to be comfortable with the attention if this is how it is everywhere you go. I guess I wouldn't want to convey any of my own discomfort or frustration. I am sure this is easier said than done! I think it is a good idea to ask the other Moms who have lived there longer.
My sister had this problem when she went to Lebanon to visit her boyfriend when she was 25. She has LONG red hair and green eyes and woman would just come up to her on the streets and pet her. My sister is not a touchy feely kind of person and didn't appreciate this at all. I'm not sure what I would do in your situation. Maybe just letting them know that she is scared and not use to being around strangers. . .probably easier said than done though.