The other day, during soccer club, K wanted the ball from another boy whom he said, was hogging it. I'm not sure about the conversation they had about this but in the end, the other boy didn't give the ball and K scratched him on the face. The other boy ran to the playground, kicked something and broke it. The two boys, 5 and 7 years old, were sent to the principal's office, told their sides of the story (both were truthful), and were told that they would need to spend the next day's recess in the principal's office.
This is the story I heard from my husband when I came home from a long overdue solo swim that evening. When I asked Kimran about it, he said "I don't want to talk about it anymore." I left it alone because I knew he and his father had a conversation about this on the way home. I knew K totally got that what he did was wrong. When he realized that the whole recess thing wasn't going to happen the next day, he began to pout and cry silently. I explained that this is what happens when you do something you're not supposed to. After some time to marinate the reality of what he did, I told him the story of two older boys (12 and 13 years) in the school who had a fight and were sent to the principal's office - they had to miss recess for a whole week!
So the next morning, K woke up early and said "I'm sad about today." I acknowledged him and we went on with the usual morning routine of getting ready, eating breakfast and brushing teeth. We were out the door at the usual time and as we got closer to school, K asked me to tell him the story of the big boys who got in trouble - it was comforting for him to know he wasn't alone.
As soon as we got into the classroom, K went up to his teacher and said "I don't get recess today" and explained what happened. I just loved his honesty. He asked me which recess he wouldn't get and I told him I didn't know and suggested he ask the director. He immediately went to find the director and looked up at him and asked "which recess don't I get today?" K and the other boy spent the next two recesses in the principal's office without a peep from either of them.
When I asked him about it at the end of the day, K told me "I saw the other kids from the window playing during recess." Needless to say, I'm sure K learned his lesson that day.
I was very proud of K for going to school knowing what was going to happen and for being honest about his role in the conflict. He's taught me the importance of owning up to your mistakes and dealing with the consequences in style.
This is the story I heard from my husband when I came home from a long overdue solo swim that evening. When I asked Kimran about it, he said "I don't want to talk about it anymore." I left it alone because I knew he and his father had a conversation about this on the way home. I knew K totally got that what he did was wrong. When he realized that the whole recess thing wasn't going to happen the next day, he began to pout and cry silently. I explained that this is what happens when you do something you're not supposed to. After some time to marinate the reality of what he did, I told him the story of two older boys (12 and 13 years) in the school who had a fight and were sent to the principal's office - they had to miss recess for a whole week!
So the next morning, K woke up early and said "I'm sad about today." I acknowledged him and we went on with the usual morning routine of getting ready, eating breakfast and brushing teeth. We were out the door at the usual time and as we got closer to school, K asked me to tell him the story of the big boys who got in trouble - it was comforting for him to know he wasn't alone.
As soon as we got into the classroom, K went up to his teacher and said "I don't get recess today" and explained what happened. I just loved his honesty. He asked me which recess he wouldn't get and I told him I didn't know and suggested he ask the director. He immediately went to find the director and looked up at him and asked "which recess don't I get today?" K and the other boy spent the next two recesses in the principal's office without a peep from either of them.
When I asked him about it at the end of the day, K told me "I saw the other kids from the window playing during recess." Needless to say, I'm sure K learned his lesson that day.
I was very proud of K for going to school knowing what was going to happen and for being honest about his role in the conflict. He's taught me the importance of owning up to your mistakes and dealing with the consequences in style.
