The Resilience Of Children
It's difficult when we have to discipline a child, but definitely sometimes necessary, especially in situations where they could potentially harm themselves or others.
Trouble is, we don't always get a good reaction...
There are kids who, for one reason or another, have a lot of anger beneath the surface, and in many cases, not too far beneath.
It can easily broil over at the least provocation.
I was involved in such a situation recently, and I'll tell you, some kids can really hold a grudge!
A few days later, after seeing me walk through his class, he jumped up out of his seat and walked toward me. I thought he was going to apologize and ask for a hug, so I threw open my arms, only to have him continue his glare of the past few days, and walk defiantly past me.
"Not ready yet." I thought, shaking my head.
He kept up the nasty looks for nearly a week.
Today he noticed a friend of his talking to me in my office, and he casually strolled in. Noticing a Dunkin' Donuts box on one of the tables, he asked if he could have a donut. Sadly, I had to inform him that the donuts belonged to another teacher.
"But," I said, "If they were mine, I would have been happy to share one with you."
He looked at me for a moment, then walked out of my office.
The anger was gone.
Kids are pretty resilient. It just takes a little longer for some than for others.
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HI Rick, you nailed the balance between necessary disciple and putting the child's needs first! Lucky kid to have a teacher like you, Sue :)
great observation---we react this way for 2 reasons---this is what children observe their parents behavior or it's just part of their natural behavior pattern to take longer to get over the hurt feelings
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Kids are something..My grandson is a two year old with an attitude - terrible twos if you will - and he will get caught doing something so he cries and storms off...Less than 2 minutes later he comes back and wants a hug and all is forgiven...If only...