Bullying/Bossiness/Teasing

I am struggling with how to help my baby girl.  

She is getting bothered at school.  Originally it was just happening in Aftercare, but now Ella is having struggles in class.  When she first told me about classtime, I wondered if it was Ella being confused about Aftercare and School time but she continues to suffer.  She has told me that she feels like no one wants her in her class and that she has no friends in her class.  She is in First Grade. 

I worked with the school regarding the Aftercare and thought it was better.  Ella had been telling me that the "mean girls" were being nice.  Thankfully a good friend emailed me to let me know her daughter witnessed the "mean girls" bossing Ella around this week and telling other kids to not talk to her.  This morning I asked Ella again and she said she didn't want to get the girls in trouble.  We talked more and more about how important it is to tell Mom the truth when I ask about their day.  Both Elizabeth and I gave Ella some more tips on how to deal with the kids.  We also said it was really a good friend that would stand up to the bullies and tell her Mom so that I could help Ella some more.  We are really blessed!  Thank you Julie and Tess. 

I am going to talk to the Aftercare teacher today when I pick up the girls. I am going to tell her that other people have noticed kids being mean to Ella and would like to know if she has seen it too? I am close to calling the parents of the "mean girls" to have a chat. I am also going to talk to my boss to see what the chances are for me to change my work hours so I don't have to have my kids in Aftercare.  That may mean going to less than full time though. 

I am going to follow up with Ella's teacher for the day time too.  I had sent an email on Monday asking for insight into what goes on in the class room but have not heard back. 

What can you do when your daughter cries because no one cheers for her in her class room? 

Today I put a note in Ella's lunch box telling her that I think she is amazing and that I love her. 

I put one in Elizabeth's too telling her how proud I am of her hard work in reading english and that you can tell she is improving.

But, please... if your child is telling  you things are better please double check.  Ella has the sweetest heart and is so nice to everyone and doesn't want to get the other girls in trouble.   I did talk to Ella's teacher at conferences regarding class room social issues and she said no one was being mean to Ella.  But, I think things have changed.  As Ella said to me last week... "I am nice to everyone Mom and they just don't appreciate my niceness" 

I need you to know Sweet Ella - I will fight for you forever. 

Thank you Dad for being my sounding board on this.  You have always been my "go to" guy and I am so happy that hasn't changed.