My head is all turned around.

The boys and I walked to school this morning.  We met up with my walking buddy E and her kids and we gained S a neighbor kid whose Dad had surgery this week.  We had a lively walk to school with four boys and one girl ranging in age from Kindergarten to third grade. Ryan was appropriate the whole walk and it was a fun time.

Ryan when in line in the morning to go into school is handsy with the other boys.  The other boys touch him he touches them they shove a little they pull on each others hands.  Other kids start it and sometimes Ryan starts it.  Usually I pull Ryan out of line to to the back because that kind of interaction is frowned upon.  This morning we were close to the bell and Ryan was running to his line.  He caught up with the class already in motion but pulled a clumsy boy move and bumped the kid in front of him.  The kid turned around and started punching Ryan repeatedly with ALL he had.  I was in shock but I ran to break it up, as did a few teachers. Ryan tried to protect himself but never punched back.   Ryan completely fell apart when it was over.  I think he was partially in shock about the situation and hurt.  I walked with him to the principals office and the dean stepped in trying to get the story from whomever saw the incident.

Suddenly Ryan’s BSC walked in.  We talked as I helped Ryan write his account of the story. When Ryan went back to class he gave me a big speech about boys, pride, and fighting.  He talked about looking other boys in the eye and having a firm handshake.  I thought ummm dude Ryan has trouble looking almost everyone in the eye that is why we have you.

I left and went on a long hard hike.  Every ounce of me wanted to snatch Ryan out of school, but I know he needs to learn to navigate his own relationships.

Sigh.