Sticks and Stones

*** Disclaimer:  The majority of posts on this blog are silly, upbeat tidbits about our daily lives.  This is not one of those posts. ***

Deep down in the recesses of our minds, every parent knows that their child will, at some point in time, be bullied.  It's not something we like to think about, and we try to prepare for it as best we can, but we know that inevitably it will happen.

My moment happened on Friday.

The kids and I were walking home from school and Aidan (who is now in grade 4) started telling me about a boy who had been sent in the hall twice that day.  I gave him the tried and true: "well, when you're sent in the hall at school it's like a time-out because you did something wrong in class" speech.

"Oh I know Mummy" was his curt response.

Then he proceeded to tell me how this boy (let's call him Lucifer) told Aidan that he was "Stupid" and that "nobody likes you."

This is the point where in fantasy land I would have calmly laughed it off and told Aidan to ignore mean people.

In theory.

In reality, my head almost exploded.  I wanted to hunt down this kid, grab him by the neck, and scream: "HOW DARE YOU talk like that to my son!!!!"

I asked Aidan if he did or said anything to provoke Lucifer.

"No, I don't think so" was his confused response.

I asked him if he said anything after Lucifer taunted him.

"Well, when he said I wasn't smart I told him that I was probably smarter than he was!" He proudly replied.

Then Aidan informed me how on another day, he was standing in front of Lucifer, and this angelic being sneered: "get out of my way so I don't have to look at your ugly face."

I.   Saw.   Red. 

Are you freaking kidding me?!?!?!  What child says these things? 

I tried to be calm and composed, but really all reason and sanity had left me.

I told Aidan that bullies often pick on people who threaten them.  I stammered that because Aidan was smart, funny, athletic and well-liked that Lucifer was afraid of him.  I also explained that unfortunately in life we have to deal with all sorts of people.  Funny people, happy people, smart people, not so smart people, and jerks.

Oh yes I did.  I said the word "JERKS" to my nine year old.

I then explained that we have to learn to deal with all sorts of people in our lives, even Jerks.  (Yep, I said it again).  I told him better to learn how to deal with these people now than later.

I suggested that next time Lucifer says something to him he ignore it.  If he can't ignore it (he gets that from me), to just say: "Whatever dude " and walk away.  I encouraged him to tell the teacher next time something happened.

He just looked at me, shrugged, and said: "it's OK Mom."

That's when my heart broke into a thousand pieces.

..................to be continued.