Back to school time is a happy day.  This year I really am going to miss them when they head back. The kids are finally easy I know it would last for long because I am 2-3 years away from teenage drama. My son age 10 still has this innocent and honesty that I love.  He still love to hugs me and wants to be with me. I think he knows he is getting older and wants to stay young.

He is independent but protected. He does a ton of stuff by himself but I have kept him shelter from stuff (news MTV, horror movies).   Originally it was not by design but I did not want him be exposed to too much soon.  He still only watches cartoons,  no ICarly or Wizards of Waverly or even ABC Wipeout on Tv.  He did not care for the Diary of a Wimpy kids movies because the children we mean to some of the others kids.  It was fine when he read the books,  but when we saw it being acted out he did not like it.  He also tells me when things are inappropriate for himself or his sister. Sometimes I think he is a better parent than me,  self protecting himself.

So this morning,  as he went to a new school (5thgrade) and road the bus for the 1st time (he was a walker prior.  He is going from a school class of 90 students  to over 400kids.   I worry will he fit in and will get picked on because of his kind outgoing nature.  I wish he had a tougher skin.  All summer I have been prepping him.  If someone says something mean, how to deal with it.  I don’t want him to be the guy who always runs to the teacher if the situation does not warrant it.  I know “No bullying” and “No place for hate zones.”  I do feel that some kids try to test the waters to see who is a target for bullying and who is not.  So the easier my son lets it roll of his back the less target he will be.  It is a life skill that needs to be learned.  Because people are not always nice.

My the conversation when like this:

Me: “If they say something not nice about you or to you  you just say “Whatever” and walk away

Him: “I can do that”

me:  “why?  it is ok.”

Him: “Mommy you told me that that is rude and never to do it”

Me:” it is ok buddy if a kids at school says something mean it is a great way to get out of it”

Him: “but that is mean to say whatever you said.. ”

Me:  “No, you can’t do it to adults but it is fine to do to a mean kid”

Him: “I think it is inappropriate  and I am not doing it”

Me: thinking really I taught him too well, he is a good boy

So  my wish is for him to have a smooth transition.. as my heart is exposed the mama bear wants to protect.