Playground Politics – III – Standing up to bully

Parent – Mom said you got into a fight at school.

Child – Word travels fast.

Parent – The principal texted her in the middle of a meeting.

Child – Is she mad?

Parent – You can ask her when she gets home.

Child – Yeah. She’s mad.

Parent – So tell me what happened.

Child – This kid, James, thinks he’s all that.

Parent – That what?

Child – Let me finish, Dad.

Parent – Please.

Child – Well, everyday he’s always running his mouth, putting people down.

Parent – What do other kids think of him?

Child – Most try to stay away from him. Some just laugh at what he’s doing.

Parent – Laugh at him or with him?

Child – With him. And that makes me mad too.

Parent – So, let me guess. You got in a fight with this kid, James?

Child – Let me finish, Dad.

Parent – Sorry. I’m eager to hear.

Child – Well, he’s always picking on Kenny. He’s kind of an odd kid.

Parent – Kenny a friend of yours?

Child – No. Anyway, James started making fun of how Kenny looked. And then he got some laughs and he kept at it.

Parent – And?

Child – Then he started pushing Kenny. Telling him to get out of his way.

Parent – I think I know what happened next.

Child – Really, Dad? Were you there?

Parent – Go on.

Child – Well, I just got really fed up, so I stepped in between them and pushed back on James.

Parent – And?

Child – And what? He slugged me … and then a teacher dragged us up to the principal’s office.

Parent – And then what?

Child – I got two detentions – same as he gave James.

Parent – I’m sorry to hear that.

Child – The principal treated me like I started a fight.

Parent – That doesn’t sound fair.

Child – He didn’t even want to hear what happened.

Parent – I’m proud of you for standing up for Kenny.

Child – Thanks Dad. Is Mom going to be mad?

Parent – Doubt it. She’s got a soft spot for knights who ride to the rescue. 

Author: ahbtest

Dr. Beitel has decades of experience as a therapist, teacher and parent since earning his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. As a member of the University of Illinois medical school faculty, Dr. Beitel supervises psychiatry residents in training. He is married to "the other Dr. Beitel", a family physician. He and Joyce have two grown children.

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