Eleven years ago we had the family over for X-mas dinner

[AnneD]

56. Welcome to DU...

I too am the proud parent of a thoughtful child.

Once, when driving home from her 1st grade class, I ask her how her day went. She told me about the normal things and then she said something like...'and we had gym'. I knew by the way she said it that something bothered her. So I questioned her further. She told me what had happened and basically she had seen a child humiliated in the class when the teachers were trying to demonstrate something and the student did do it. "I think she was deaf Mommy-she had white hair and blue eyes". After her story I asked her.."and what did YOU do." "I didn't laugh at her Mommy, I tried to go over and be her friend".

I wish at 6 years old I had that much guts. I have to admit, I felt pretty small and humble next to my daughter. Seriously, who is suppose to be teaching who.

I called the Principal the next day and explained what my daughter had seen and how she had interpreted it. Well to my joy, the Principal had been my sister's kindergarten teacher. She assured me that she would discretely talk to my daughter and get to the bottom of the story. Within an hour and a half, she called me back. It seems the child was Danish, did not know English, and was a bit shy.

She went on to say that, although the situation was innocent, if one child could perceive it as my daughter did, others could too. She arranged for my daughter to have a special lunch with her new Danish friend and the Principal in the cafeteria-a high honor in the first grade world.

My daughter has grown to be a wonderful person. I can't tell you how much I worry about nice young people in the world today. There is so much ill will and pettiness. But these children are our hope.

Thank you for being a good parent.