Boxing legend Muhammad Ali said, "Children make you want to start life over." There are times as a parent when this quote hits harder than one of Ali's knockout punches, and such an instance occurred this past weekend.

Like any father who has gone to the Prime Outlets in Grove City, most of my time is spent shuffling between the gigantic toy sandbox with sliding boards and the food court, each strategically located 50 steps from the other.

During my watch at the sandbox, I couldn't help but notice my son and daughter playing, not just with each other, but with all of the other kids. And I mean ALL of the other kids.

At one point, there was a herd of 12 kids attempting to build a sand tower to the sky, where local skydivers were taking plunges out of a plane. When it got too high, each kid took turns falling onto the pile pretending to be a skydiver. It was pretty cool and creative.

This went on for about 20 minutes until a new kid came along and simply crashed into the sand tower.

"You can't do that. It's not your turn," my daughter said while pointing her sand-covered finger at a much older 8-year-old boy. I gulped, wondering where this was headed.

"Yeah, ya big bully," chimed in another 5-year-old girl who was equally sandy.

To my amazement, four or five other kids chimed in and began to surround the "bully," who quickly realized he had pushed too far.

What happened next is sheer genius. The kids made the bully build the sand tower up again so that they could crash into it and then asked the bully if he wanted to play too. He learned his lesson and they forgave him since no one got hurt. The group was filled with boys and girls from varying races and ethnicity, as well as many different ages.

This leaves me with only one amazingly simple question with no real answer. When do children learn to hate?

With one kid in kindergarten right now and another at preschool, I can tell you that hatred isn't happening at either of those places. Diversity abounds and love is taught through various means, all of which seem to drive home the point that being different isn't bad. In fact, it's kind of cool.

So when do kids learn to hate? Is it when playing sports or participating in dance or music? I doubt it, as every association I've been involved with at varying levels preaches sportsmanship, teamwork and equality. Most times there isn't even a scoreboard, and recitals are equally divided among each person.

Pondering this question while driving home, I had the privilege of being cut off at the Cranberry exit on Interstate 79. While passing me, the driver felt the need to extend one of his fingers and curse out the window. I couldn't help but notice a car seat in the back of his car. Is this where kids learn to hate?

My hopes are the guy looked in his back seat and remembered what Muhammad Ali said. Children really do make you want to start all over. Is it too late?