Bully for you

Simon is being picked on at school by a boy in his class, who is much bigger than he is. This child has known behavioural issues, in fact he had been "asked to leave" his previous school and is now at ours. I can totally understand that some children have difficult behaviours and can be a challenge. Simon has had this boy in his class since last year and he's always been a trouble maker, making fun of kids, pushing in line, all that kind of thing. More irritating than anything else, and as I said to Simon when he complained about it, part of learning to deal with people in the real world. After all, there are idiots everywhere! But recently it has been escalating and last week poor Simey huddled against me, crying and shaking as he told me how this boy now lies in wait for him at the end of school and tries to stop him from getting to the school bus by blocking his way and "accidently" pushing him over. If Simon tries to go a different way, this boy runs ahead and gets him there, too.

You can imagine how I felt, listening to this. A kind of red, boiling rage seemed to fill me. Simon was crying and saying, "I just want to hit him, Mum! I just want to punch his ugly face!" (and Simon is, perhaps the most mild-mannered child ever). I reiterated our stance on violence, how it only leads to worse violence, how using words, telling a teacher, staying away from the bully were better options...blah blah blah. When what I wanted to do was grab the little twerp by the scruff of his neck and yell "STAY AWAY FROM MY BOY!!!"

In actual fact I made an appointment to speak with the class teacher.

If I could only lock my children in a large, comfy cupboard until they are 21! They are all so naive and tiny! Right now Simon, who is 11 and starting high school in 18 months time, is walking around with his Harry Potter wand, making me watch him "magic" the tv on, by pointing his wand at the tv and saying "Turn On!" at the same time he surreptitiously presses the button on the remote control.

*sigh* I'd better go and vaccuum up all the dog hair that Josie has been moulting in preparation for spring. I could knit a whole new dog out of it. Would anyone like one?