My son is a victim of bullying. You see, my son is different, and, in 6th grade especially, that is a crime.
One week ago today, he was attacked on his bus. He was called a "retard", a "fag", a "homo", a "girl"...by the "cool kid" in school. When the other kids on the bus saw this, without even knowing my son, they joined in. My son called me, crying, begging me to bring him home immediately. I tended to his broken lip and his broken heart.
We instituted a plan. We counseled him. We punished the attackers. We now drive him to school. We have supervision at all times. We cannot repair my son.
This morning, he returned to school, after nearly a week at home, with me, complaining of a headache and stomach ache. I drove him to school, all the way, telling him that he is amazing, smart, gifted, perfect. We got to the door, and I said, "Dude...there's some kids. Are those nice kids? Do you think you could go stand with them and wait for the bell?" "Sure, mom!", replied my terrorized son.
He got out of the car, stood near the door, turned around, and looked at me. For 15 minutes. He couldn't see me crying. I'm still crying.
