Today Hayden went to preschool and when she came home, she told us a disturbing story. There is a kid in her class, Ellie P., who apparently put sand in Hayden's eyes and her mouth, even after Hayden asked her to stop. Hayden said she started crying, and then a teacher came to pick her up and get her some water to wash out her mouth. She recalled this situation very clearly and could tell us lots of details, so I'm inclined to believe it.
This is upsetting on a variety of levels. One is that another kid is deliberately being mean to Hayden - that's problem one. The second is that Hayden wasn't successful in defending herself, whether that was telling the teacher, leaving the situation, asking for help or even pushing Ellie P. away. The third is that I can't really figure out how the sand was able to get in her eyes/mouth, but Hayden must have let Ellie P. do it somehow, because she also said Ellie P. didn't just throw the sand.
Needless to say, we are upset, but Sean is particularly angry about it. He has had a bit of experience with bullying and can't help but imagine the road he fears Hayden is beginning. He's adamant that she learn how to stick up for herself, and I agree. So this evening, he did a little role playing with Hayden to help her remember what to do if someone is mean to her again. It included loudly asking them to stop, telling the teacher and if needed, pushing them away from her. She was laughing and giggling the whole time, so it's hard to be intimidated when she looks so cute.
I know we could be overreacting, but she's IS our only kid...
4 comments:
I don't think you're overreacting. I think it's a valid concern, and role playing seems to be a good first step in helping Hayden figure out how to handle difficult situations.
I worry about it all the time too, for my kid.
I would react the same way if that happened to my girls. Danielle is really soft-spoken so from an early age we practiced using her "strong voice" to say "Please STOP.. that is NOT ok" and then to go to the teacher, etc. Good job doing the role-playing. That's a great plan.
Thankfully the situation hasn't come up for us yet but when it does I hope they are prepared.
Thanks guys. The role playing was Sean's great idea. He did talk to the teacher yesterday and apparently Ellie P. is a bit of a problem and another kid, a "friend" alerted the teachers to the situation. Ellie P. also got punished, so all that makes me feel a bit better.
Side note: Jen did not let me teach Hayden the self defense techniques I would prefer she utilize.
Post a Comment