I have learned, that parenting is a blood sport. It is not for the timid. The whole process will overwhelm you and eat you alive if you show any form of weakness. I am learning that every day. Particularly when it comes to Dylan. Since he is my oldest, I get to experience everything for the first time with him. I realize my last post talked about how he is thriving. For the most part he is. But recently, I have had to deal with the "bully" problem. I know we all deal with these weenies at least once in our lifetimes, but it doesn't prepare you for when it happens to your kid. There is one boy in Dylan's class that fits the stereotypical mold of a bully. He is bigger than his classmates and is an angry child. Last week, on a Monday, Dylan came home and said he wasn't feeling good. I could tell something else was going on so I forced it out of him. This kid was pushing him around. Ok, we will take care of it, but not that huge of a deal right? I wasn't that worried. The next day, Dylan convinced me that he was sick and so I let him stay home. The next day, Wednesday, I was prepared to make him go to school and face it head on, but he was throwing up he was so upset. I called the school and talked to his teacher who said that she would talk to him and his parents and try to get this taken care of. She told me that it wasn't just Dylan, that Steven has had issues with a lot of kids and that he does have a problem. OK, so Dylan went to school on Thursday. Nothing happened. Friday rolled around and Dylan had a birthday party for his friend. I was highly reluctant on letting him go, because this bully, Steven, would be there, and he had threatened to "tear Dylan to pieces" if Dylan went. It was at an inflatable play place and Dylan so wanted to go regardless. And I realized, I can't let some little pain in the ass dictate what my kid could do. So I took him, and then called his Dad, because I didn't want him to be there without one of us watching. Tom had been a bit concerned about all of this so he said he would go. Apparently this Steven kid was relentless with Dylan, hitting, pushing and even sitting on him. Tom is friends with the birthday boys Dad, and so the Dad sent some bigger kids over to teach him a lesson. We both agreed. BAD IDEA! We don't condone that, but what do you do?
Well on Monday, Dylan had some issues and managed to get himself into a spat of trouble, but it wasn't a big deal. I discussed the situation with the teacher and she was trying so hard, but Steven has anger issues. YOU THINK?!?!?! Tuesday was uneventful, and I thought, "Maybe it is over with." Well yesterday, was the last straw. Dylan came into the house and with tears in his eyes said, "I just had the worst day of my life!" I asked what had happened, and Dylan said that Steven and another kid cornered him on the playground punched him three times in the back and then smacked him on the side of the head. Retaliation for what had happened at the party despite the fact that Tom and Dylan hadn't done anything. That was it for me, I was pissed off, sorry, but I was. No one beats on my kid without Mama Bear coming out. I called the Principal this time. I had numerous conversations with the teacher and she was doing all she could, but it just wasn't working. I waited about a half an hour so I could calm down. I told the Principal about it and he was reassuring that he would get to work on it. If he can't make it stop then we will have a group meeting with the parents of this little jackass. Well Dylan just got home and I asked him how the conversation with Principal Taylor went and he said good. He thinks that they can now be friends. I am wary, but I have to have faith in my Son. He is a good, smart kid so I told him, "I don't want you playing with him, please be careful." I certainly hope this is the end of it. Otherwise I will be having a showdown with his parents and I guarantee I will be relentless until this kid learns his lesson.
I had asked Dylan's teacher, "You said he had lots of friends?!" She said, "He does, I think he is the most liked kid in this classroom which is probably why Steven is jealous and wants to hurt Dylan." We gave Dylan permission to defend himself and whomp this kids ass, but that isn't in his nature. Dylan is such a tender and sweet soul. We do want him to fight his own battles, but when it gets physical we have to make it stop. Maybe I am overprotective but bullying is not something I tolerate either towards or from my kids Chloe will probably end up on the other side of the situation, Lord help us all! We have decided that we will have his Uncle Cameron teach him karate, since he is a 3rd degree black belt. Maybe that will give him the confidence and ability to defend himself when need be but the discipline to not use it unless he has to.
And if that wasn't enough, my baby isn't feeling well. I knew he had a cold but it developed into an ear/throat infection which caused a ruptured ear drum with all that fu
n gunk coming out of his ears. This also developed impetigo under his nose and he had grabbed my professional grade curling iron so he has a nice burn on his hand. I took him to the doctor to get treated, and said, "CPS isn't going to show up are they?" He laughed and said, "I think all kids grab the curling iron at least once!" Well, true, all three of mine have done it now. But this poor kid looks so sad. A red ear with stuff coming out, an upper lip and nose that is bloody and red, and a nice big burn on his hand. And then paying for all the prescription meds for this kid, all I can say is WHOA MAMA! Even WITH insurance. LOL. But that is the life of a parent. And with all the headache, stress and bloodshed, I love it. My kids are my world, and they bring us so much happiness.
Well this week went much better in the Parry household. Luckily Dylan hasn't had any issues with Steven. There was one little verbal thing, but oh well, they got over it. I think the Principal, besides sitting down and talking to the boys, also talked to the bully's folks. Dylan says that they don't really hang out together and when they are around each other, they avoid contact. Oh I am so hopeful that it is all over. I got a lot of support from friends on this. I did get a couple of people thinking I should just have let it alone. Oh hell no! I do believe that if possible, yes my kids should fight their own battles. But I will step in when my kid is sick cause of it and getting punched. If people don't like it tough. These are MY kids not yours. I get to make the decisions not you. I will do what I think is best regardless of what everyone else thinks. There, just had to get that out. Dylan is back to the fun loving, sweet boy he was before this whole mess. I love it! I was so proud of him yesterday. He told me that there was a boy and a girl fighting. The boy reached up and was going to punch the girl. Dylan and his friend, Jared, got in front of the girl, and protected her. How awesome is that? My little boy is amazing. No wonder the teacher says he is so liked at school. Colton is doing good. He is over all his ailments it seems. He is asserting himself well. He has learned that in order to make it with his older siblings, he is going to have to make his wants well known. Chloe is loving school and is thriving. She is so smart! A little pain in the ass most of the time, but beautiful and smart. It is so fun to watch them all grow. Learn new things and to think, "Wow, those beautiful creatures are MINE!" I swear there is nothing better in this world. 
