Michael slugged the school bully...

[Robinrs]

And now they're best friends!

Rewind...

There is a bully, Edgar, in my son's class who literally has the whole 4th grade living in fear. Everyone, of course, except Michael. He's been in Michael's class for 3 years now and seems to work overtime to try to make life miserable for him...

On Tuesday he threatened Michael's friends with violence if they continued to be his friend. When Michael told me this I was appalled. Of course the Mommy in me wanted to go up to the school and lay them out for allowing this to happen. Michael told me whenever anyone told on Edgar, THEY'D get in trouble.

Since he's reached an age that MOMMY will embarrass him by coming up to the school he told me he'd take care of it.... hmmmm....

Well, yesterday after getting off the bus, the bully pushed Michael. Michael told him to leave him alone. He pushed him again. At that point Micheal slugged him and he fell to the ground. The entire group of kids ROARED! Edgar wasn't hurt but Michael told me he stayed on the ground.

Today Michael told me that Edgar was so NICE to him. He told him that was the "first time anyone stood up to him"...

Kids... amazing...

 

[nativetxn]

YIKES, Robin. I'm glad this happened off school property. I hope Edgar has learned the error of his ways and is nicer now.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

While I don't condone violence it sounds like that was what this bully needed! Someone to stand up to him.

I hope the bully takes a lesson from Michael and learns to be nice to people.

 

[snoopy]

While I don't condone violence it sounds like that was what this bully needed! Someone to stand up to him.

Gotta agree there. Bullies are a hard lot to deal with, sometimes you just gotta slug 'em to shut 'em up!

 

[ByTheSea]

What is it about 4th grade and bully's? We had to deal with a bully problem this fall ourselves. Lot's of threats, my DS did get hit once and we gave him permission to defend himself if it happened again. Luckily it never came to that, and things have turned around quite a bit.

 

[Hercules10]

Anybody else reminded of the "Scut Farkus" incident? Yeah I know Xmas is long past, but still...

 

[Robinrs]

I should've mentioned that I always trained Michael to NOT use his fists for any reason... except this....

Michael has always been a BIG boy and I made sure that he never even rough housed with children his age because I was always afraid he'd really hurt them. This boy is a rare one, he's just as big as Michael is, I think this is part of the problem.

This boy used his size to intimidate kids. Michael uses his to protect kids. The last straw was Eric, an autistic child who just loves Michael. When Edgar threatened him Michael and I were THROUGH.

Eric's Mom sort of depended on Michael to take care of Eric, a shy small boy with severe allergies. When Edgar got to him I think that's what pushed Michael over the edge.

Sometimes, unfortunately, it's the only way. Growing up in Brooklyn it was the ONLY way. I hoped it would be different for my kid but there's no way to avoid the class bullies....

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>I've always told my kids not to start anything, but to stand up for themselves.

Seems like Michael & the bully learned a lesson - maybe the other kids will get a clue, and the bully will learn that having friends is soooo much better than having people be afraid of you.

to Michael ....

Robin - I could just imagine his expression if you had gone to his school.

 

[snoopy]

Having met Michael, I can account for his gentle ways. I was so touched at how sweet he was around my two kids, who were a good bit younger.

Michael did what he had to do, Robin. Bullies sometimes need to be taken down a notch in order to grow out of being bullies. If it happens when they are young, there is a chance that they could turn it around. For Edgar's sake, I hope that happens.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Just wanted to add that I am glad he stood up for Eric. What a great Son you have, Robin.

 

[Robinrs]

Thanks, cuz... sometimes he's TOO gentle....

Having a "roughneck" for a Mom sort of made him that way!

MaryJo, I told him how I LOVED seeing my Mom coming up the hall of school. My Mom would come up there in her muu-muu and flip flops and I felt sorry for whoever messed with HER kid!! My Mom was a pit bull back in the day!

Well, being a GUY I think his SHORTER THAN HE IS Mom would be an embarrassment! LOL

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by Jenn Lynn
Just wanted to add that I am glad he stood up for Eric.

Thanks, Jenn, my only concern is that Eric will soon have to learn to get by without Michael. He's been taking care of him since 1st grade! Kids can be so cruel and daily he has a challenge with that.

I wish more people had more of a heart for those who are different.

 

[Disney Doll]

Bravo to him for standing up to the bully, and speaking in the "language" that the bully would understand.

I don't know you Robin, but I have read numerous posts and you can be assured that we all know you have taught your child well how to get along nicely in this world. Sometimes we just have to protect those less fortunate than we, and it sounds like that's what your Michael did.

Maybe that's what Edgar needed...someone his own size to tangle with. An important lesson learned for the child, I hope.

 

[izzy]

Didn't I just see this the other night on an episode of The Brady Bunch?? Peter finally had to punch out the school bully for making fun of Cindy and her "baby talk."

I, for one, am glad to see when kids stand up to bullies, even if it means having to do so physically. While I don't advocate using violence as your first resort, I absolutely agree with the poster who said that sometimes you just need to speak their language.

Bravo for your son! I wish more kids (and adults) could stand up for themselves and face the bullies in their lives.

 

[Robinrs]

Yikes! The BRADY bunch! Oh nooooooooo!

I've REALLY left Brooklyn if I'm living a Brady Bunch episode!!

Thanks Disney Doll, that was so nice of you to say!

 

[catsrule]

Something similar happened to my nephew, also named Michael. A bully at school, my nephew slugged him and gave him a bloody nose, all the kids cheered him. That bully never bullied him again. Don't think they every became friends, though.

 

[Towncrier]

I can't wait to meet Michael in person next week. It's kids like him that help me to believe that there is some hope for this world. He's one in a million. But you already know that, don't you.

 

[Antonia]

Reminds me of my son - always big for his age, but very gentle. Never hesitated to step in if someone smaller was being bullied. He has grown up to be a great young man. Sounds like you have a wonderful son, too.

 

[FINFAN]

Don't fret Robin, I have told my kids (who are both on the really small side) never to start a fight....however, you must be prepared to finish it. Michael did just that, and he used a ton of self control IMHO....I have found that kids work things out thenselves for the most part.Michael stood up for himself and a friend. Those are GOOD qualities!

Pam