Much job~ma, Anne. It sounds like you'd have an inside track, what with them already knowing about your general fabulousness.

I'm so sorry about Polgara's mother.

Oh Hec, I'm so sorry. Some kids grow up in these aggressive homes, and their parents (and I think this happens to little boys, especially) seem to train them the way they'd train Pit Bulls. It's scary and awful. Poor Emmett. I hope this passes easily for him.

Last year, a very big boy a year younger than Ben (who is very big, but the gentle variety of giant) punched Ben in the face, during a pick-up football game, after school. I think it took Ben the whole weekend to get over the shock, as he has never been a hitter, never mind a puncher. I felt so sorry for him, because I could see on his little face how violated and unsafe he felt. I couldn't go to the parents, because I know the father in that seen-him-around-the-playground way, and he's a creepy stalker who corners women alone, and stands too close while he talks, and generally sets off all my alarms. The mother was on hand that day, and seemed to do the best she could at the time. It seemed overkill to go to the school, because it was a one-time-thing, one kid, and it was the result of a game.

If this is any sort of loosely organized bullying, don't hesistate to take it up with the school administration. Emmett shouldn't have to feel intimidated, waiting to get into school in the morning.

Also, job~ma to Trudy. May the pinstripe suit, however fetching, become a thing of the past for you.

God. I've yet to meet Emmett, but I've got a real strong urge to tell those kids that, should they want to see their next birthday? A new hobby would be a Very Good Choice. How scary would I be for my kid? Parents meets Paulie Walnuts. Yikes.

Oh Hec, I'm so sorry. Some kids grow up in these aggressive homes, and their parents (and I think this happens to little boys, especially) seem to train them the way they'd train Pit Bulls. It's scary and awful. Poor Emmett. I hope this passes easily for him.

I think he'll be okay. He's pretty grabby himself on the playground and used to lots of rough play with his friends. But it wasn't like that. Emmett's never been in a fight, and this was definitely aggressive behavior, not play.

It just turned in a second. It was like watching one of those nature films where all the babboons are contentedly picking nits and suddenly three of them pounce on another one and pound on it for no obvious reason.

I think the other kids all knew each other, and none of Emmett's friends were over there playing with him. He mostly looked shocked - much like Ben, I suppose - that people would act that way.

Skipping like a mad thing to post ridiculous cuteness (as is my wont): [link]

~ma to all that need it!

Job~ma to Anne and Trudy!! May you be able to retire interview suits very soon.

job~ma to Anne and Trudy.

In a way, I am heartbroken about Polgara's mom. It's just not right.

Much ~ma to Anne. And Trudy.

Punctuation to Polgara and pawswithclaws.

He drove himself to the nearest hospital (?!)

I just posted a "Been There; Done That; Ate the T-Shirt" comment in your LJ. My Dad is notorious for driving himself to the hospital while his heart is doing the hokey-pokey.

My dad once drove himself to the hospital for angina pain, checked in, and had to call a buddy to have him let us know where he was, as he couldn't remember his own phone number. ("Well, it's not like I ever call myself.")

I think he'll be okay. He's pretty grabby himself on the playground and used to lots of rough play with his friends.

Yeah, Ben is like that, too. I don't consider that ungentle, because there's nothing mean behind it. There's youth, and vigor, goofiness, and excitement, and poor self-control behind it maybe, but no malice.

But it wasn't like that. Emmett's never been in a fight, and this was definitely aggressive behavior, not play.

Yeah, and screw them. That's what happened with the boy who punched Ben. It just *turned* instantly.