“Hello, Mrs. T? This is your son’s principal, Ms. Roberts. I wanted to inform you about an incident that occurred yesterday involving your son.”
My heart plummeted. It felt as if it had dropped to my stomach, and I struggled to respond.
“Okay.”
I braced myself for the news that my son had been bullied.
Bullied. A “victim,” as Ms. Roberts described him. My son, my bright, kind-hearted boy.
While standing in line with his classmates, a boy he often helps kicked him three times. When my son turned around and asked him to stop, he received three more kicks to a sensitive area. As anger surged through me, I questioned how I had overlooked this. Why hadn’t he confided in me when it happened? I’ve heard countless stories of bullying, so how did I miss this one?
Ms. Roberts continued, explaining that after the kicks, my son went to his teacher in tears, recounting what had transpired. Thankfully, the school handled the situation well. His teacher immediately contacted the principal, the bully faced a serious reprimand, and my son was comforted by his teacher.
The principal, who didn’t receive the email until the following morning, called my son into her office and shared her thoughts with me: “As a mother of two sons, I can tell you your boy is exceptional. We’ve seen our share of bullying incidents, but your son is different. He chose to use his words instead of resorting to violence. I’ve never seen a child so assured in his response. He knew he did the right thing.”
I was left speechless. I often share my therapeutic insights with him, but it was his response amid fear and embarrassment that truly moved me.
Hearing about his impressive reaction brought a fleeting sense of relief, but the pain quickly resurfaced as I imagined my sweet child being hurt.
When I picked him up from school, his face lit up upon seeing me, and I inhaled the familiar scent of his skin, sweet and comforting like home. I longed to hold him tight and apologize for the pain he had endured.
I gently mentioned the incident, and with a calm demeanor, he replied, “Yeah, I thought so, Mom. Everything’s OK.”
Where was this strength coming from? I questioned myself. How could I maintain my composure?
Once home, I asked if he wanted to discuss the event. He did, and I could see the confidence that Ms. Roberts had praised. After sharing his experience, I asked, “What led you to respond this way?” His answer left me in awe: “Because that’s what you taught me, Mom. It was the right thing to do.”
He even expressed sympathy for the boy who bullied him, saying, “I feel bad for him. He’ll miss out on fun days at school because of his behavior. But don’t worry, Mom. He won’t bother me again. We talked, and he knows it’s not acceptable.”
I knelt down, looking him in the eyes, and showered him with kisses and hugs. He then said, “I have to help him like you help others in your work as a therapist. I was going to tell you, but I needed a break from talking about it yesterday.”
I squeezed him tightly, not wanting to let go.
Later, he came into my room asking to spend time together. I put aside everything to share stories and laughter. As he traced the lines on my palms, I felt an overwhelming sense of love for this incredible child.
He fell asleep clinging to me, as if I held the key to all his dreams. I clutched him back, knowing he was everything to me. My pride in him is boundless; he embodies wisdom and kindness.
What fills me with the most pride is witnessing the person he becomes when I’m not around. He reveals his true character in those moments, making me immensely grateful to be his mother.
Parenting is no easy task, but he’s worth every effort. They all are—beyond measure.
If you’re interested in learning more about parenting and related topics, check out this insightful blog post on bullying. For those on a fertility journey, consider reputable online retailers like Make a Mom for at-home insemination kits. And if you’re curious about the intricacies of conception, this Wikipedia resource offers excellent information.
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