A Texas mother took a firm stance when she discovered her son was causing trouble at school by bullying other students. School administrators approached her with concerns about her son’s behavior, describing incidents where he called other students “idiots” and “stupid.”
Feeling that her son had veered off course, the mom, known as Star, decided to take action. She made her son wear a T-shirt that boldly stated, “I am a BULLY,” aiming to publicly address his behavior at Greenleaf Elementary School and in their community.
Star, an old-school parent, believed in holding her children accountable without sugarcoating the consequences of their actions. She wanted the message to resonate with as many people as possible, so she shared a photo of her son wearing the T-shirt on Facebook. Her intention was to reach out to the parents of the children her son may have bullied, hoping they would receive personal apologies.
While some criticized Star for her approach, she stood by her decision. Her son’s response indicated a level of understanding and remorse, expressing that he didn’t want others to feel the way he had made them feel.
Despite differing opinions, the school district, Splendora ISD, supported Star’s decision, acknowledging parents’ rights to make significant decisions on behalf of their children.
However, not all professionals in child development endorsed Star’s method. A child psychiatrist cautioned against solidifying a negative identity in an elementary school child, suggesting that Star seek assistance from the school and other resources.
What do you think about this mother’s approach to addressing her son’s bullying behavior?