Challenge at party

Yesterday we went to a birthday party. There were quite a few children and we were having a good time. I felt bad for my LO though because the kids kept taking his toys and he's non verbal and out of his comfort zone so he wouldn't say anything, just watch them walk off with what he was playing with. After a few times I went and hung out in the living room with the kids and talked with the oldest girl about movies and such. I told one of the boys (5) oh hey, buddy Malakai was playing with that, can you give it back please? Literally just walked up and tried to walk back off with it. He said, 'well he didn't say no'. So I told him gently, malakai can't say no, but you can see he had it first. Then he made a huge eye roll, rolled his body with his feet and kind of stomped off. Then Malakai went back to playing fine with the toy. And after that I was able to go hang out with the adults and the kids stopped IMO taking advantage of the fact my son can't stick up for himself.

I'm just wondering Is that an appropriate thing for me to do? If not, how would you have better handled the situation? I'm treading in unfamiliar territory, the older he is getting. I don't want to over step my bounds. But I also don't my son being bull dozed by unfamiliar kids and parents that don't know what's going on. Or if they do they don't know how to handle the situation with their kids or showing empathy.

If your son didn't care, I wouldn't have said anything

If he was upset, then I think you did the right thing

I probably would've done the same thing if I were in your shoes. If your son is non-verbal and can't express himself, there's nothing wrong with you being his advocate. It sounds like you were very polite about it. I have to stick up for my daughter when older kids pick on her at the park. It probably wouldn't do any good to go to their parents, because most of the time, their parents are nowhere to be found.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Squeaky McGee:</b>" I probably would've done the same thing if I were in your shoes. If your son is non-verbal and can't ... [snip!] ... park. It probably wouldn't do any good to go to their parents, because most of the time, their parents are nowhere to be found."</blockquote>


At the park I try to just let it go. Unless they are being down right mean, then we usually find something else to do. :/ I don't know what's up with parents who leave their kids to do whatever in the park and wander off. Especially IMO when they are ill mannered. But then that's probably because their parents aren't teaching them manners, *shakes head*

I could have gotten the parents involved, but seeing as they seemed oblivious to what was going on I thought instead of making a big deal with parents etc. just to go sit with my son and gently guide the other kid. Although I don't know if I interfered with them having a teachable moment with their kids looking back.