Mean Kids

Kids are so mean. As a teacher's aide, I don't know what to do about this. If I hear a comment, I can say, "Hey, don't say that," but all they learn is to say it more quietly. They always pick on people when they can't defend themselves.

The kid who doesn't speak English is the biggest bully. But how else can he communicate but in the universal language of meanness? There's not really another universal language that fourth graders share.

Friday I had to talk to two of my girls in the hall because one had told the other that she wouldn't be her friend anymore. The friendless is one of my special ed kids, so I stood out in the hall and hugged her and she hugged me so fiercely. I am not all that comfortable with touch for such an extended period of time, but I tried to stand there and hug her back and be present. She hugged and hugged until finally I had to tell her that she was OK, and it was time to go back to class.

My kid, A, wears t-shirts and holey sweatpants a lot. I want to shake his mother. Isn't it enough to be autistic? Does he have to wear weird clothing too?