Bullying. I really hesitate to use the word because I feel like it's become a buzz word in today's society - and that if anybody is mean to anybody at any point in time for any reason they are considered a bully. I also feel as though we are creating a society of wimpy kids as a result. That being said, I think that real bullying is horrible and awful and so difficult to go through. Nathanael is having a really hard time at school. Several of the kids are making fun of him because he's a nerd, he reads all the time, they don't like his clothes or they say he's too smart. Today there was another incident that involved 3 other boys and the teacher had to get involved. I'm so thankful that he has a great teacher that he can talk to who will help him deal with these issues, but I'm SO upset that he's going through this.
We have really prayed about home schooling him - and that was actually the plan until all of this started happening. However, he is such an introvert that Carl and I both agree that it probably wouldn't be a good idea in his situation. I talked to my amazing brother in law, Andy, and he agreed. He also said that he understands what Nathanael is going through, and it just felt good to talk to someone who understands.
I don't have any solutions, and neither does Carl. But this is what we know. Nathanael is amazing exactly the way that he is. And we want him to know that. We want him to feel comfortable in his own skin instead of worrying about what other's think of him. To have a confidence in who he is and was created to be. I know that he's already smarter than I am, and it makes me sad when he talks to me about his equations or inventions and I can't answer the questions he asks me. I love to listen to him and encourage him, but I know that he needs more people in his life that understand the way that he thinks and can help him develop it. I'm thankful that he has his "uncle" David close by, but I find myself wishing that we had other family members closer as well. I know he'll be okay, but I'm not looking forward to this journey right now, and it's making me so sad that I can't protect him from this! I know that it's going to help him become who he's supposed to be, and teach him how to handle difficult social situations, and build character and all that baloney, but I also know that it hurts him right now - and that hurts me too.
Today I am thankful for cell phones, egg salad sandwiches and good books.
3 comments:
I am so sorry. It hurts to be a mom sometimes. If he was here you could put him in a magnet school. They have some great ones.
I am very grateful that somehow Marcus is looked on as a leader all the time and he is not in the same situation. (Though he has been in the past.) That being said, we are trying to get down there.
(Andy here)
I remembered a few things that may help. One thing is that people like Nathaniel are the kinds of people who understand that life doesn't peak in school, that there's life after graduation. I think that kind of foresight is actually scary to people who feel they're in their glory days right now, that have no concept of the future.
Also, one thing that a counselor told me (sadly I don't remember her, but my mom has told me about this) might help. She said that nerds are the successful people of the future. "The geeks shall inherit the Earth." Honest truth, Nathaniel's brain is one that will give him a crazy cool future, and sometimes knowing that helps. Hope it does him.
Thank you! We tell him that often, and I hope that it's sinking in. If you think of anything else please share - we need all the help that we can get!
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