This week has been focused on the kid at school who's bullying Elliott. We spoke to his teachers and the principal but if today was any indication of how this is going to play out, we're going to have a problem.
While at Dr. Pattie's tonight, we spoke with Elliott about this and learned that there were more issues with this kid at school today.
Apparently, aside from smacking Elliott on the back thoughout the day, he's also throwing pencils at him during class as well. Elliott was hit in the leg today and when he told his teachers, they basically said they didn't see it happen, so they can't do anything about it.
Was Elliott hurt by the pencil? No he wasn't, but is that really the point?
Fuck no it isn't!
This kid is throwing sharpened pencils at Elliott and while the pencil lays on the ground where it landed after bouncing off of Elliott, they didn't do anything cause they didn't see it happen. Just because he wasn't hurt this time doesn't mean that he won't get hit in the face next time.. This has to stop. (continued - - - >)
At therapy tonight, we worked on empowering Elliott and helping him learn to stand up for himself.
One of my nonviolent suggestions was to have Elliott pick up the pencil after its thrown at him, break it in half and throw it away. While it sends a message, it also eliminates this kids ammunition. He can't throw pencils at Elliott if all his pencils are gone.
I also suggested that the next time this kid hits him, throws a pencil at him or knocks things off his desk, Elliott very loudly say this kids name and demand that he stops doing whatever he just did. This will get the teachers attention and they will hopefully address the problem.
I don't want Elliott to fight this kid or provoke him in any way. At the same time, I don't want him to be a doormat either. He has a right to be in class without having pencils thrown at him or getting smacked on the back. He has a right to defend himself and demand that these things stop, even if it means making a scene.
Are they ideal solutions? Of course not but with the absence of teacher support, he needs to stand up for himself. Dr. Pattie, Lizze and I all agree that these are appropriate responses to what amounts to acts of aggression.
In the morning, Lizze and I will be returning to the school and addressing these things in a *different *way. While I'd rather work together for a solution, by allowing these things to continue, the teachers are failing Elliott and the other student who are the main targets of this bully.
I'll not be so nice this time around.
