January 16, 2008
I’m waiting for the bid for secession
I worry sometimes that Henry will get picked on at school. He’s pretty much a prime target, if my childhood memories serve me right; he’s smart and quirky, he wears those big thick glasses, and he buttons his polos all the way up and belts his pants right under his armpits.
My son is a nerd.
So the other day, when he casually mentioned that some kids in his class were saying mean things to him, I was ready. We talked about how last summer one of his friends was getting bullied at camp, and how sad it made him and how much he wanted the other kids to stop calling him names and being mean. And I told Henry that his friend practiced what to say when the other kids picked on him, how he practiced looking right at them and saying, in a completely calm voice, “Okay. So what?”
Henry liked that, and in the car on the way to school, he practiced. He used his peaceful voice and he told me that he would NOT yell or hit anyone because that might hurt THEIR feelings, and he wouldn’t want to do that.
Finally I said, “Buddy, can I ask what the other kids are saying to you?”
There was a long pause and then he said, “Diana said that I started the Civil War. But you know, I didn’t! And it really hurt my feelings.”
That wasn’t really what I was expecting. At all.
Posted by Susan @ 1:57 pm • three martini parenting, those damn kids
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January 16th, 2008 at 2:20 pm, Crisanne Says:
That’s one powerful little guy you have there!
Also, having just read your flikr Old Navy discussion-drunk monkeys with steak knives-you made me actually “laugh out loud” twice today!
January 16th, 2008 at 2:21 pm, The Simple Family Says:
Well….at least it wasn’t the Revolutionary War? It could be worse…
January 16th, 2008 at 2:46 pm, Heather B. Says:
So what you’re saying is that he had no part in the planning of the attack on Fort Sumpter. Also I really don’t see any resemblance to Jefferson Davis. Interesting, kids are so…I don’t know…kid like.
January 16th, 2008 at 2:51 pm, slynnro Says:
Your kids are so freaking adorable. That story is hilarious. If there was some sort of guarantee that my kids would be this enjoyable, I might consider it.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:05 pm, RuthWells Says:
Awww! But I’m sure that, as hilarious as it is to us tall people, it really did hurt Henry’s feelings. Teaching my sons the fine art of ignoring the truly ridiculous stuff that some kids come up with has saved us all a lot of anguish.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:11 pm, Janssen Says:
oh man! What a hilarious little story. Thanks for sharing.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:28 pm, Not the Mama Says:
I just spit cookie all over the computer screen. That’s not what I was expecting either (though the post title should have clued me in a little). Hilarious.
January 16th, 2008 at 3:30 pm, E Says:
*snicker*
Gotta love those kids!
January 16th, 2008 at 3:41 pm, Raven Says:
Wow. My son is getting called “Emo” because *gasp* he actually wore jeans that fit him to school one whole day this week.
I think I would’ve stammered if I had to deal with that as an answer.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm, M&Co. Says:
Damn! Henry’s had a short life, but he accomplished a lot.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm, Headless Mom Says:
Your description of Henry could be my be my own Headless boy 1. Although he hasn’t been accused of that yet-Hmmm I wonder which war he’ll start? If it were up to him it would be the war for Metru Nui. His homeland. I’m not making this up. He’s half Bionicle, you know.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:19 pm, Kian Says:
Henry is the cutest thing ever! I’m still giggling over that one.
January 16th, 2008 at 4:19 pm, Liz Says:
It’s the little unexpected things that seem so…oh, I dunno…bloggable - good on you and hugs to the little man!
January 16th, 2008 at 7:14 pm, daysgoby Says:
God love the little men.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:28 pm, Debbie Says:
Susan,
I love reading your blog because you (and today Henry) make me laugh out loud! Thanks.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:14 pm, chris Says:
Yeah, well that’s not what I heard. I totally heard it was henry’s fault.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:34 am, CA Says:
THat was a really sweet story. Such innocence.
January 17th, 2008 at 8:50 am, Meegs Says:
LOL… when nerds attack.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:14 am, Melissa Says:
Very, very funny! Hopefully that is the ‘worst’ thing that is ever said to him-LOL. I so understand the mommy need to defend. I always worry about my kids because of the hearing aids, implants, etc. Great advice you gave him
Melissa
January 17th, 2008 at 10:59 am, Wendy Says:
Now, it all comes together. I remember those old pictures and there was a small little boy screaming Na, Na, boo, boo at the South. It all makes sense, now.
I am sorry, but that is the best “mean” line I have ever heard. However, I do understand how it can hurt his feelings.
We have the teasing problem over here, too, but on the girl side. Amber is little and everyone notices. She has been called a baby since the Pre-3 program (5 yrs old, now). I think the advice you gave was great. We have been working with Amber not to melt into a puddle of tears when teased. It just doesn’t help the baby argument, anyway.
Be strong, young man.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:46 am, Stephanie Says:
I don’t know, when I was teaching my eight graders about the Civil War last year, I seem to remember something about some little bespeckled kid with coke-bottle glasses running around Ft. Sumter….perhaps it was only my imagination, though.
January 17th, 2008 at 11:47 am, Stephanie Says:
He is so hilarious. And adorable.
January 17th, 2008 at 4:03 pm, Marlee Says:
Ha!Thanks for the laugh.
My husband’s a nerd…but I’m pretty sure HE had nothing to do with the Civil War…
January 17th, 2008 at 4:13 pm, jcristg Says:
good thing y’all don’t live down here in south carolina. “we” (as in, half of the population) take any and all civil war material seriously.
dems be fightin’ words in my fair state!
January 17th, 2008 at 4:16 pm, jcristg Says:
and lucky for y’all, we’re about to be influential in the 2008 election. look out!
January 17th, 2008 at 6:27 pm, Mara Says:
It doesn’t sound like he’s winning the nerdly contest so far, if the best they can come up with is that!
Maybe I’m being a clueless non-parent here, but as the mom, don’t you get to pick out what they wear? Because I remember elementary school and those guys can be brutal…
Susan says: My kids go to Catholic school, so Henry wears a uniform. Fortunately, he’s not the only kid with the shirt buttoned to his neck and the highwater pants. It’s kind of a look, really, but not a good one.
January 18th, 2008 at 10:50 am, Velma Says:
So not what *I* was expecting to hear, either! Too damn funny, though.
January 19th, 2008 at 5:36 pm, rachel Says:
hunh. not what I was expecting, either!
we’re studying the civil war here, maybe Diana needs to learn more about it?
I’m glad Henry feels comfy with himself.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:20 pm, imaginary sarah Says:
Haha! Diana only had it partly right. I heard that Henry started the Korean War.
I cringe to think that anyone will pick on Amos as he grows. Argh, parenting…
January 26th, 2008 at 12:44 pm, MommyWithAttitude Says:
HA! That is a biting insult for sure! I always worry about my kids getting picked on too -it’s heartbreaking to hear them say something as simple as “so and so doesn’t want to be my friend” even though I know that’s life and it happens and they’ll be fine anyway.