Friday, March 2, 2007

Mama tiger protecting her cubs



This is one of the hardest things about being a parent and I'm not sure how to handle it. My oldest son gets good grades, plays sports, is nice looking and is an overall good kid. (Yes, I'm bragging but he's really a nice boy.) The other day on the bus a kids called him a nerd for getting good grades. He was upset but we told him the kid was probably just jealous.

Today he got off the bus very upset and started to cry as soon as he closed the front door. Another boy slapped my son in the face as he was getting off the bus. I went through the roof. I was ready to strangle this kid with my bare hands. My first thought was to tell my son to beat the hell out of him on Monday but in this day and age, he'll end up getting in more trouble than it's worth. I called the school and the bus barn and reported this other kid for hitting my son (he had a red mark across his face) and they said that they'll have to wait until Monday to deal with it.

I am so frustrated because I want to protect my kids from bullies and crappy kids but it's not reality that he'll never get picked on. How am I supposed to handle this? I want my child to show the other child kindness and love but not to the point that he's sacrificing his own self worth. I was picked on all through school and I still suffer from self esteem issues. I don't want that for my kids. No mother does. I just refuse to allow my kids to have some shit head telling them they are worthless and physically assaulting them.

What would you do in this situation? Should I just continue to build him up at home and not worry about these other kids or should I pursue disciplinary action on the bus?

1 comment:

Emma in Canada said...

I have to reply to this because last year my son, at 10, went through a terrible few months at school. He was being picked on and was choked once on the bus.

Definitely, definitely, pursue all avenues when your son is physically assaulted. I realize you wrote this ages ago, but in case it ever happens again most definitely something needs to be done. I don't know what it is like where you are, but up here if you as a parent call the police they will come to the school to talk to both the bully and the bullied. The officer I talked to even told me they unofficially keep a record on the bully. I never went that far as the school did alright dealing with it.

We just reiterated to my son what a great kid he is, and how he doesn't need to listen to the words that people say, that he knows who he is and what they think doesn't matter.

Sorry this is so long!