We left things in our bullying situation (Part 1 here) with my husband becoming a chaperone for my daughters field trip. He said things went fine, just your typical disrespectful, annoying behavior from a few kids. My husband and I keep saying, 'I NEVER talked to adults this way when I was that age.' And it's true! I couldn't imagine being a smart-ass to an adult. I was too scared. But it seems most kids have no fear these days, I just don't get it. Rob said he didn't smart mouth an adult because he knew that the adult would smack him up-side the head. Ah, the '70's. Not as many lawsuits back then.
On Friday I went to school with my daughter at her request. This was the day the bully was returning from his suspension. First period went well, but the kid wasn't there. I thought that his parents kept him home however, when class was over, Katie was called to the office. The day before Rob and I spoke with the Principal and requested a meeting between the bully and Katie with the Principal as mediator and that's what was about to happen. She and I walked to the office while I waited outside the door.
First the Principal had spoken with the boy and his parents, then he spoke with the boy alone, then the meeting with Katie. Since this kid has no history of aggressive behavior we didn't have a big meeting including Rob and I with the other parents. We wanted to see if this child would understand that he needs to just calm down and take responsibility for his behavior. Katie is a hero for speaking up, she shouldn't be tormented for telling the truth and helping a friend.
She said the rest of the day went well, no fellow classmates teasing her for what happened, like they had been the previous days by calling her a Snitch, sending her anxiety level soaring. It took a lot of will power for me not to go into class with her this morning, but she said she felt good and went in with a smile. Well, she's 14 so it wasn't as much a smile as a half-grin. It is school after all.
(*Next post: "A Self Esteem Pill?")
On Friday I went to school with my daughter at her request. This was the day the bully was returning from his suspension. First period went well, but the kid wasn't there. I thought that his parents kept him home however, when class was over, Katie was called to the office. The day before Rob and I spoke with the Principal and requested a meeting between the bully and Katie with the Principal as mediator and that's what was about to happen. She and I walked to the office while I waited outside the door.
First the Principal had spoken with the boy and his parents, then he spoke with the boy alone, then the meeting with Katie. Since this kid has no history of aggressive behavior we didn't have a big meeting including Rob and I with the other parents. We wanted to see if this child would understand that he needs to just calm down and take responsibility for his behavior. Katie is a hero for speaking up, she shouldn't be tormented for telling the truth and helping a friend.
She said the rest of the day went well, no fellow classmates teasing her for what happened, like they had been the previous days by calling her a Snitch, sending her anxiety level soaring. It took a lot of will power for me not to go into class with her this morning, but she said she felt good and went in with a smile. Well, she's 14 so it wasn't as much a smile as a half-grin. It is school after all.
(*Next post: "A Self Esteem Pill?")