Parenting

I'm just so unbelievably proud, and though my son is over it I'm still charged up.

My son is 12, in those delightful middle school years. In my neighborhood lives another boy two grades above mine. His grandmother lives right next to me, and his parents across the way. This kid has been making fun of and bullying my son since they were 6/7 years old. He just did it to do it, I've seen it play out all the time. He used to pick on this smaller boy, my son's best friend, but when he moved away my son became the target.

My son is over reactive, especially when he was younger. He's in special education and has to do a lot of therapy learning to regulate. But it was clear as day, this kid would say something, just so he could watch my son react. The kid is a total jerk.

Anyway, just not too long ago, my son was playing in the back yard, again minding his business. Im bird watching on my porch as one does. When I hear off in the distance "something loser!" .. then I hear it again.. and again, someone is chanting "double loser". I bolt off the porch, last time something like this happened, my son charged the kid, I could hardly hold him back, I know immediately whats happening and run to look.

I go to see the street, and of course it's this kid, walking with two friends, and hes chanting this while they look back. I turn and see my son. Calm as a cucumber.. my son, calm as ever. He shrugs and says, "what? I'm not going to let it bother me. I know I'm not a loser"

Ohmygoooodness, ohmygraciousness, oh I smiled! Of course I told him he's absolutely right, we had a small conversation about his bullying and what not, high fives and hugs, I complimented him a million times. Just.

The work is paying off!!!

We're going to play a family game night now. Just a year ago my son would be crying having a meltdown in his room. Today, ah, I'm so proud :D