Uneasiness

Had one of my dreaded moments as a mom yesterday.  I got home from work and my 10 year old said, "Mom, I almost got beat up today."  He then proceeded to tell me about the kickball game he played afterschool and how one of the boys didn't like a play he made and the next thing he knew this boy had pushed him to the ground and was smoothering him.  Then one of Erik's friends came up to that guy and started hitting him to get him off Erik.  Thankfully my husband and some other teachers were around and things were stopped before they got out of control.  The boy that attacked Erik claimed that Erik had pushed him.  There were enough witnesses to refute that claim, but I know my son well enough to know that he might have shown a bit of an attitude or said something in a tone of voice that could have been perceived as confrontational.  Not a big deal most of the time, but to a child prone to anger or aggression, that might be all it takes to provoke a full-fledged attack.  Thankfully he could learn that lesson without serious ramifications, and I pray he learned it well.

But I am feeling really anxious today.  What if this boy, who ended up getting suspended from the after-school program, decides he wants to seek revenge?  I've not really worried about the boys playing with kids in the neighborhood, but today I'm feeling a little more apprehensive about that.  Erik seemed to be okay with it all, but I wonder if he is feeling a little more scared than usual at school today.

I know something like this could have happened in Naperville or anywhere, but there is no denying that some of the kids we see around portray a pretty rough image.  I don't want to feel afraid or uneasy living in our East Aurora home, so I hope this is a temporary feeling.  There are some great kids in the neighborhood, too, and I don't want to get blinded or jaded to that fact.

Comments

[Mom S]

As a Gramma, I was concerned over this incident as well. But Grampa had a totally different take on it. He related that he was targeted by bigger, tougher boys many times at Erik's age until he finally defended himself just once, and he views this incident as a "boys will be boys" issue. Now I'm realizing that maybe this lesson, as painful as it was, is a good thing that it happened at this age before any weapons were involved. I'm praying for no further incidents, for God's continual protection of the boys and for emotional peace for you. Remember you are loved!