The day I saw my son with autism being bullied
For the first time as a parent I witnessed my son being bullied. Yesterday the little neighbor boy who is probably 8 came over in front of our house while Zeke was outside playing…he didn’t think anyone was around and started telling Zeke he was the weirdest and dumbest person he has ever seen!!! I was sitting in the dining room and our windows were cracked open so I could hear him clearly. You better believe I jumped up and went out to tell him he doesn’t come over to my house and start saying such things. I explained that Zeke is very smart he just doesn’t talk like he does. He is different from him but not less. The boys older brother who is my middle childs friend came over and said he knew someone like Zeke before. They walked off towards their home and I went back inside.
Did I do the right thing by confronting the bully?
Did I lose my cool in that moment? Yes a little bit.
Do I think he will be coming back and saying these mean things? No.
He hung his head in shame and said sorry and left.
Fortunately Zeke doesn’t seem to have been paying attention…but you never know what he is really thinking in that special brain of his. He just continued to play ignoring the kid.
What would you have done if it were you?
I went inside and told my husband and two older kids what had just happened. We were all surprised by this boys actions due to the fact that he had just been over playing in our yard a week or two before with all of the kids. I am not sure what made him say these things across the yard to Zeke today. Was it because he didn’t reply when the boy said hi and asked him a question? Either way there is never an excuse to be a bully. It is also never the victims fault when they are bullied.
Has something similar happened to you?
Read the ideas of how to stomp out bullying at this great website.
Stomp out Bullying
Your son is very lucky to have you! You are such an amazing Mom!
Pammy – joyfulsource.com
Oh thank you Pammy!
OMG, I’m really sorry that happened! Noone should go through that so I can totally understand why you reacted the way you did! I’d have probably done the same, or worse. Kids are kids but eish, you’d think they’d know not to do that esp at that age. Around 8 is no baby.
Thank you. I am glad I didn’t get out of hand. lol
I’m sorry that happened to your boy 🙁 I probably would have reacted the same way as you. That mama bear instinct just comes out! At 8 the kid should have known better, but maybe he needs more education about kids who are different, too.
Thank you Caitlin! I agree….his parents must not have taught him to be kind to everyone…even if they are different than him.