Later when we went outside to plant some of the garden Liam found what was left of Mama Robin's eggs. It was pretty depressing.
We decided to take a walk to the park to "make lemonade" out of the rest of the day. It was Ian's first visit to a park. He loved the rocks. He was trying to swim in them.
There were three boys sitting at the park when we first got there. The whole time they were telling "Your mama is so ______ (fat, stupid, ugly, short, hairy) jokes. I was curious how my boys would react to that type of behavior. Would they say something or ignore them? Or laugh along with the boys with hopes of being accepted? They kept their distance, strangely enough, since my oldest two are definitely not shy. Aidan came over to me and asked, " Are they trying to make jokes? That's not funny, don't they like their moms?"
Some days, despite the struggles and backslides and ugly moments, there is proof that we're doing something right.
I was hoping you would tell us that mama robin won, but I knew I was hoping for the nearly impossible. Teaching moments indeed.
ReplyDeleteKids, I don't know what to think about them sometimes. It hit me one day that kids will be making fun of me when I teach them. They will go to the obvious; "she has a big butt." Yea, I was thinking the kids liked me and then the truth hit me hard. They may like me, but they are going to make fun of me too. That's just the way it is. But you know, when Guy was in Montessori school and somebody said something about his teachers nose, he took up for her--he didn't want anybody saying anything mean about Ms. Natalie. So I will have the kids like your kids and mine to balance the playing field. :) Thank you for raising your kids to be respectful and caring! Your kids are a reflection of you--they are beautiful and kind!
I have a feeling you're going to keep your students on their toes...they won't have time to make fun of you! But there always seems to be that one, or few, who will do their best to cause chaos.
DeleteOh Liam's face is heartbreaking over that little robin egg!
ReplyDeleteI have heard so many people say "oh the schools in Osage are the best!!! The best teachers! the best education!" I often want to ask these parents if they have ever spent time on the playground with these children. I can't believe the awful things that come out of the mouths of these young kids. What does it matter if these they are math and science whizzes if they have no virtue? This mama hen will keep her chicks at home.
I agree, Carolyn! The standards of morality have shifted so that the disgusting things kids say are now "funny". I was shocked by the things kids were allowed (and even taught!) to say in school the couple years that Aidan was in public school.
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