One Sunday I was having lunch with my daughter and her two boys. While my daughter was getting the boys their lunch my youngest grandson reported that he was sad. He was sad because a little girl in his class was sad. A group of boys were teasing her at lunch, saying that she had a crush on one of the cadet teachers. Sometimes they made her cry.
It got quiet. We were eating out and those seated around us were drawn the dilemma, my grandson is quite dramatic.
The young boy's temper flashed at the possibility that this whole matter was not taken seriously. His face tightened, his voice trembled and his eyes became teary.
He continued his story.
He asked the boys to be nice, but they refused. Then they switched their displeasure towards him. They told him that if he wanted to be friends, he would have to tease the little girl. He bucked up and said if they could not be nice. He was not their friend.
To those seated around us, he was a hero. There was no applause, but some sighs of relief and some approving looks.
As a teacher who deals with hurtful words on a daily basis, I was extremely proud of his stand; to have such convictions at such an early age. I was also very proud of my daughter and my son-in-law for modeling an appropriate life style and for teaching both of the boys compassion and caring for others.
When my daughter returned to the dinner table my grandson repeated the story for her. She and I both indicated our pride in his decisions and told him that it was always proper to be firm when it comes to bullying. We also explained that the best course of action was to tell an adult.
My daughter reported the action to his teacher and the issue was quickly and firmly resolved.
Maybe the lesson here is bullying actions need to be slowed down when youngster are in preschool through second grade, by teachers who students not only respect, but love. Maybe kindness, compassing and caring can be taught at home and reinforced by these early year teachers. Maybe the foundation to repel such situations will develop into a firm foundation and these youngsters will grow up respecting the rights of others and will be able to defend their convictions.
This is only one instance, and a youngster's belief system will be challenged many times in the course of a day, a week, and through the years, but at least in this instance there is evidence of a positive character under construction
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