Fight Club

I've recently been very sad about having to teach Elijah how to defend himself.  He's only 2 yrs 3 months (almost) but already has to deal with kids being physically agressive at school.  He's been really unhappy at daycare lately and we suspect it's because some boys are pushing and hitting him.  Apparently he doesn't do anything back.  It really makes me mad to think that he's being punished for being a good kid.

Recently I started teaching him how to punch and sternly say "stop it" if someone pushes him or hits him....but it breaks my heart to have to do so.  This morning I at one point while he was watching Barney he spontaneously got up from the chair and started dancing around and asked me to dance too.  It was too cute, but in light of what's been going on I found myself getting emotional.  I want him to be a kid as long as possible and not have to worry about all of the jerks in this world.

We're not sure at this point what we're going to do.  I'm torn between pushing him to deal with it and grow and providing a better environment for him.  I don't know if what he's experiencing at the daycare is normal or not.  One thing Gina observed is that when he's in other settings with kids they don't just randomly hit and push each other.....it typically revolves around a toy each one wants or something.  I just don't know.  I love him and hate the thought of anyone hurting him.  If anyone reads this and has some advice/encouragement please share.