I Found Out My Son Punched a Kid at School and Rewarded Him after Finding Out Why He Did It
Upon arriving to pick up her middle son from school, a mother had no clue what awaited her. When she entered her boy's kindergarten class, she was confronted with an unusual sight—a weeping child standing on one side of the room while her son stood on the other. What exactly had happened to prompt such a situation?
All parents aspire to nurture their children with good values, fostering qualities like responsibility, kindness, and love as they grow. Beyond emphasizing academic development, parents are committed to instilling the significance of supporting and standing up for what is just and right.
One method parents use to reinforce positive behavior is acknowledging and rewarding their children when they engage in praiseworthy, productive, or helpful actions. The parent in today's story adopted a similar approach after learning about her son's actions. Keep reading to unveil more intriguing details.
In December 2019, Katie Bryant from North Carolina shared her poignant incident on a popular online platform. She recounted the day she went to pick up her middle son from a kindergarten science class, juggling her toddler in her arms while another child attended a class across the hall. As she turned the corner, an unexpected scene unfolded before her.
In the aftermath of the unexpected classroom incident, Bryant inquired about what had happened, emphasizing the importance of understanding the "why" behind the actions.
"I was walking in to pick my middle son up from a drop-off kindergarten science class...On one side of the class, there was a crying child, holding his face and looking embarrassed. On the other side of the room, my child," recalled Bryant.
The North Carolina woman said her son displayed the characteristic traits of an "Enneagram 8" — arms folded defiantly and eyebrows furrowed sternly. Concerned and determined to understand the situation, she knew something had happened between the two kids.
The volunteer assistant promptly approached Bryant, informing her of "an incident" that had taken place. Without hesitation, she said, "Let's go figure it out," as she placed her toddler near a sensory bin.
The sight of his mother seemed to comfort her son as if he knew she had his back. The teacher, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected altercation, attempted to address the situation but seemed to be asking the wrong questions.
Respecting the teacher's authority, the watchful mother offered to assist in resolving the matter. Her presence relieved the teacher, who probably didn't anticipate dealing with such a situation in the kindergarten-first-grade class that day. With her unwavering support for her son, Bryant was determined to find out what had transpired and ensure that the incident was handled fairly.
The Conflict & the Mother's Reaction
In the aftermath of the unexpected classroom incident, Bryant inquired about what had happened, emphasizing the importance of understanding the "why" behind the actions.
The teacher explained that the kids were sent to the bathroom in groups of three for safety, and that's when "the big kid" started pushing the more petite boy. Bryant's son, standing tall and unwavering, had intervened to protect the little boy, but the situation escalated, leading him to throw a punch in defense. "What happened?" Bryant asked her son. "I punched him, hard," he replied.
As the truth emerged, the expressions on the teachers' faces changed, realizing that they had initially misjudged the situation, assuming Bryant's child was the aggressor. The parent of the bigger kid also arrived, and upon questioning, the boy tearfully admitted to his actions.
Observing how the situation was handled, the N.C. resident began understanding why the boy felt compelled to seek revenge. Nevertheless, she gathered her children, left the classroom, and took them for ice cream, standing by her son's actions.
The Online Response
Reflecting on the incident and expecting backlash, Bryant said she encourages her child to stand up for what's right. While she doesn't advocate solving problems with fists, she believes it's essential for her child to protect others when necessary. She teaches her son to defend the oppressed and be there for those who need support.
The proud mother described her son as strong, fierce, and kind. While parenting him can be challenging, she nurtures his strong-willed and brave nature, knowing he will use his passion to advocate for human rights.
A netizen praised Katie Bryant's son for his thoughtfulness on social media. | Source: facebook.com/lovewhatreallymatters
A commenter praised Katie Bryant and her son after their story made rounds on social media. | Source: facebook.com/lovewhatreallymatters
Bryant and her son's story received an outpouring of support and admiration from fellow readers on social media. Many praised her son's courageous actions and applauded her parenting.
Several comments flooded in, applauding the boy's intervention. One commenter expressed the need for more children like him, recognizing the significance of nurturing such qualities from an early age. Another person commended Bryant, saying they had instructed their own children not to initiate fights but to stand up against bullying or injustice. They, too, rewarded their kids with ice cream for doing the right thing.
A Facebook user appreciated Katie Bryant for rewarding her son for what he did. | Source: facebook.com/lovewhatreallymatters
The third comment echoed the sentiments of pride and understanding. They commended the mother for not promoting violence but acknowledged that sometimes when faced with an urgent need to protect others, one must take action. They applauded the boy for standing up for the little guy, emphasizing that the bully deserved the consequences of his actions.
Do you think the youngster did the right thing by standing up for his school fellows? Would you have rewarded his actions like his mother did? Please share your valuable feedback with us on Facebook.