scribblechic

These are large concepts for young children. As parents we endeavor to foster these values, nurturing lessons in everyday moments of opportunity. We demonstrate integrity and compassion with our actions and discuss choices and feelings when life presents examples.

Last night, driving home from an evening out with my husband, I received the following message from another mother:

Just wanted to let you know how proud you should be of your daughter. I was doing a recap with my daughter about the day and I guess some of the kids are being mean to a boy in class. My daughter told me that your daughter apologized to the boy for how mean the other kids were being to him.

The little boy the mother mentioned is perhaps one of the kindest children I know. My daughter has been heartbroken over her classmates’ unkind behavior. We have discussed the behavior, her feelings, and the boy in question, but my daughter’s actions were her own.

I would not have predicted that my daughter’s choice would be an apology. I could not be prouder of her decision. She stood as witness to others’ actions and the boy’s feelings. My daughter’s apology acknowledges her identity in a small community of children that each carry a measure of accountability for the harm against another and a mature consciousness that witnesses to unkindness are responsible for their silence as much as bullies are accountable for their words.

Tagged: Bullying, Daughter