RIGHT NOW

It starts now. Scout has been in Kindergarten for about seven weeks. Adjusted beautifully, thriving and growing like crazy. I cannot keep her fed.

I got a call the other day from her teacher, during the day. My heart raced... "She's okay, don't worry!" I let out a sigh of relief.  "Scout was on the playground when a first grader was chasing her. The boy said to Scout "I am going to kill you and your friends!"  Say what?  Her teacher continued, even thought I was saying, repeatedly, "What? How? Are you kidding me?"  "Don't worry, she said, Scout did an amazing job. She reported him to myself and the class aid right away. She was able to speak with Mike, the Principle, and was congratulated for doing a great job for standing up for herself."

Bullying, starts now.  I thought I would have years to prepare for this.  Shaking my head, I replied "what is happening with the boy? Who is this kid anyway?"  They are by law, not allowed to disclose or identify the child who created conflict.  Lame. In my day, if a kid did something wrong, parents showed up on their doorstep and righted the situation.  "I will tell you, that the child has been suspended." After Scout's teacher said this I felt somewhat better, that someone actually took this seriously, seeing as that I couldn't address it, with the offender.  I asked, "does this child have any other offenses?" Well, actually, she replied, he does."  I am shocked.  "So you have all red flagged him, then, right?"  She offered support, "yes, he actually has been red flagged. I just want to let you know, that Scout really did the right thing, and I wouldn't make too much of a big deal out of it when she gets home. Wait for her to tell you, and if she doesn't, bring it up, in a way that expresses how proud you are of her actions."  I thought this was great advice.

Scout was proud of herself for handling the bully and doing what we have worked on with her over the last year, which is teaching her to speak up for herself.  She did.

I am restless with this issue and experience. I think of her getting older and dealing with bullying. I knew it was a big problem, and kids are often awful to one another, I guess I just didn't see this coming at age 5.

To all the parents out there: It starts NOW. There is no timeframe for bullying. Bullying doesn't have a color, class or creed. There are varying degrees of bullying, and they should all be taken seriously.

I know the little boys name now. And yes, I will be watching him, very closely.  I will also be visiting with the teachers and Principle to see how I can take an active role at the school, be present, educate myself and share this story.

ROOST

Scout has more energy than a … a … anything or anyone I have ever known. She is a firecracker. Whip smart and has the memory of an elephant. This can be a good and bad trait.  After finding her standing on her head consistently, we enrolled her in gymnastics. It has been great to return to the gym to watch our daughter tumble! She says big words and bob and I shake our heads… how? when? What?  Time blazes by.  She is in preschool at an in home program called ‘Little Crickets.’ Thriving, with friends and projects galore, we are thrilled to see her so happy. Sawyer made his way into the world this July and has been a very, very mellow baby. He is definitely Bob’s son.  He doesn’t complain, he sleeps well and is developing a very sweet personality. He and Scout have started playing together and laughing; before we know it they will be plotting to sneak out of the house and steal the car.  We are so thrilled to have a home full of such chaos, laughter, noise and love. Bob has been promoted three times in his near five years at the Department of Energy, Renewable. He is one of the only ones in the country with a bullet proof job thanks to some of the stimulus money that headed his way in March. Work has been busy, rewarding (he tells me so) and because of all the growth there has been a lot of change in his office.  From small-ish and quaint to seeing people in the hallway he doesn’t even know.  I suppose Renewable Energy is a big deal. Proud of him. I am a stay-at-home-mom and much more comfortable with being home this time than I was three years ago when I was at home Scout for the first year.   I am enjoying my time with the kids immensely and feel very thankful to be in a position that I can share the special moments and sometimes REALLY long days with the kids. I know it is fleeting.  My guess... they will rule the roost for some time to come....