Turning the other cheek

I know that is what you are SUPPOSED to do, but I never had to deal with this with the boys. They never fought with people.

We have a little girl next door who is shorter than Suzi, but maybe a bit stockier. We have had a few issues of this girl bullying. She has punched Suzi before. Most of this type of thing, I don't get too much involved in anyway thinking they all get over it and move on.

But Saturday, Suzi came running in the door with her best bud from up the street (the bobsie twin) and they shut the door really fast. When I asked what was wrong, she said that Alicia was trying to throw a water balloon at Erica and chasing them and saying Suzi was playing with a baby. Suzi had been "protecting" Erica earlier by telling those kids to leave her alone.

So then the doorbell rang and rang and rang. I go out there and the little "angel" says, "can Suzi play"?

I said, well, I don't think you really want to play with her. I think you want to be mean. She said well, she is being mean. She won't play with us. This little girl had just came and twisted Suzi's hand back. This was after she told them to run because she was going to kill them. GOOD GRIEF!

Now, here is where I have a dilemma. I know Suzi wouldn't just walk around and just be mean to someone. They have played out front with all these kids before. Those kids have swam here. But I don't want this girl thinking it is okay to put her hands on Suzi or any other kids for that matter. I think she would back down if Suzi stood up to her. Now, mind you, Suzi has 2 big brothers. She can totally hold her own. I wouldn't be worried about anything like that. I just don't want to give her permission to be hurting anyone else either.

This situation just seems different. Should I say, hey, next time she is doing something like that, stand up for yourself, or should I just let it go. She has stood up to her. She really stood up for Erica too. I am envisioning high school :) I know they are only 10, but still...