Ok… that’s what he said … but it turns out not to be totally true. In fact, he only pushed him, with the palm of his hand for calling him a “girl” and saying Joseph wasn’t in TaeKwonDo. And, what’s funnier is that Joseph did NOT get in trouble … but DID tell on himself. So, here is the story as Joseph told me.
Ron: “Aimee, Joseph needs to tell you what happened at school today.”
Me: “What happened?”
Joseph: “I punched someone.”
Me: “What?!?!?!?!?!”
Joseph: “I punched a kid at school and then went to talk to Mr. Green because I was mad.”
Me: “You punched a kid at school? Is he hurt? Did he tell on you? Did he hit back?”
Joseph: “No, he didn’t say anything.”
Me: “Did you get in trouble?”
Joseph: “No.”
[I was VERY confused at this point. How could he punch someone and NOT get in trouble? ?!?!?! ]
Me: “How did you punch the kid. Show me.”
[So Joseph showed me. All it was was a push with the palm of his hand. Not a “real” punch — thank goodness!]
Me: “Why did you do that?”
Joseph: “Because he was calling me a girl and saying I wasn’t in TaeKwonDo.”
Ron: “You didn’t say anything about him calling you a girl.”
Joseph: “Well that was part of it.”
Me: “So did the kid tell on you and send you to Mr. Green’s?”
Joseph: “No. I went to Mr. Green. My teacher said he was busy, so I had to wait and then I went to talk with him.”
[Mr. Green is the guidance counselor at his school. Joseph met him on Day 7 of last year when his big “blow up” happened in Ms. Bower’s class. He has an established relationship and open door policy with Mr. Green.]
Me: “So you went to Mr. Green all by yourself? That’s good. That shows you understand you were angry and did something about it. Its NOT right, however, to hit, under ANY circumstances.” [I went on and on about how BAD this is at this point.]
Me: “Did you get in trouble?”
Joseph: “No.”
I was surprised! Only one other kid apparently saw the incident and more than anything it sounds like poor roughousing to me. Joseph was mad because of the name calling and the other kid was probably embarrased because he got pushed down. So, Joseph essentially told on himself by going to Mr. Green. We’re good with that though!
Joseph: “So, are you mad at me.”
Ron & I: “Nope. Never, ever hit again, but you did the right thing and that’s the most important part right now.”
End of story. Ugh! I’m so glad I’m not a boy! 🙂