Bully

We’re on the way home from school just like every day in existence.  We’re talking about how there’s a school rally the next day, and that the kids have to dress a certain way.  School spirit.  rah.rah.

All of a sudden this comes out of Joseph’s mouth, “My archnemesis has to be on stage!  With a guitar! And he has a RASH!”  Perhaps the “Bwahahaha” I heard was just in my head.

First I found out who this Archnemesis was (totally his word by the way.)  Jimmy Bartek*.  Who pairs up with Michael* to call Joseph Stupid (which he attempted to spell out, because we don’t call each other stupid) and make fun of him.

I then had the correct parental lecture that sometimes people feel really awful and the only way to make themselves feel better is by making others feel bad and BLAH BLAH BLAH.

But then I said, “But he has to get on stage?  With a rash?”

“Uh Huh!”

“That, my son, is called Karma…  Or the Biblical term is Reaping What You Sow.  But you are NOT allowed to make fun of him up there.  Be the better man.”

“And don’t give someone else power over me.  I learned that from my daddy.”

Maybe we’re doing something right.  But I can’t help hoping that Bully Jimmy Bartek’s rash spreads before the rally.

*Not the child’s real name.  Would rather not be sued thank you.