Hi Scooter,
Lyin posted this and it jumped off the screen at me. I think sometimes us parents get so frustrated and EMBARRASSED that our kids are taunted by others that we throw up our hands in defeat.
Sad to say, Scooter bullies are not going to go away. No matter what you say to the principal or teachers the bullies will find a way to make fun of him.
It is this sort of thinking that allows bullies to continue their hurtful behavior unchecked. As long as parents, teachers, and principles rationalize that this kind of thing is just "a normal part of childhood" children will continue to be hurt. And many times these hurts that follow them well into adulthood, if not forever.
I got teased as a kid. First off, I had that wonderful JW thing going on. I know most of you can relate to that. Then, for a time, my family struggled very hard financially, and I didn't even have a decent pair of shoes to wear to school. I was teased pretty hard about that. Then, as a 13 year old I was "blessed" with a woman's body. Oh yeah, grown men would salivate in my presence, but males my own age were creepy little bastards with their snide comments about me being "fat".
Anyway, my attitude towards bullies now. My daughter is extremely sensitive emotionally. She has been pushed around at school. And I don't tolerate that crap for one second when I am made aware of it. When she was in second grade, some little brat went off and punched her in the stomach for absolutely no reason. This is a child, my daughter, that I nearly lost twice. Once at birth and later to leukemia. I'll be damned to hell forever before I let that kind of shit go. I was on the phone to the principal and, in short, told her I didn't care if she tied the little bastard to an ant hill, he better not touch my kid AGAIN.
Then.........
Just about an hour ago, I had to go talk to another Mother regarding her son throwing rocks at my child. One of those rocks hit her. She just happened to be riding her scooter with some friends in the neighborhood, when this kid who is 8, is on the roof of his house and starts mouthing off. Then, the rock hits her on the leg. She hurries home to comes to tell me because I have instructed her to inform me when ANYONE threatens her or harms her. Off I go to confront him and talk to his Mom, who I had not met. She seemed to be a decent woman (poor thing, I got her out of the tub. Hence, she was not supervising her kid). I expressed my regret in meeting her this way, but if her kid ever pulls a stunt like that again, it won't be ME knocking at the door, it will be the POLICE. She calls her son into the house, and requests that I tell that to him directly. Boy, did I ever! Along with telling him that his Mom doesn't need this stress.
I like what lauralisa had to say:
The bullies, pointed out to me by Kyle, were very interested in getting their pictures taken. I took them aside, told them I also happened to be Kyle's mother, and that I had a psycho ex-husband with lots of biker friends (true at the time *sigh*). I kindly stated that the next time Kyle was bothered by them, he was gonna come to school with a bag of dog shit and make them eat it.
I know this kind of thing gets more complicated when kids get older. Last year, my daughter, ten years old, had some girl harassing her in class. I asked her if she wanted to me take care of it, because I CAN make it stop. She asked me to let her handle it for now, but if it keeps up, or gets worse, she will have me step in. See, when it comes to my kids, I'm like a pitbull, the only way to get me to unlock my jaws is by either bashing me on the head, or killing me. Though, I understand that she is extremely reluctant to have "Mommy" rescue her. So, I am ever watchful from the sidelines always ready to pounce if I think she needs help.
I also believe that the parents of bullies need to be made aware about despicable behavior of their children. Most are shocked that their children are capable of being so cruel.
Anyway, Scoot, I think the Martial arts suggestion is a good one. I understand that it it is excellent for physical fitness, and also a big confidence booster. Definitely look into that one.
Most importantly, he needs to have his home be his safe haven where he is loved and accepted regardless of his size. It seems you are doing that. I know this must be so agonizing for you.
Sometimes, I wonder how we all survive raising our kids.
Andee
Excuse the profanity, but I feel it highly appropriate.
