I knew there was "something" about R, my 3rd grade student...but I couldn't quite pinpoint it until I met with his 1st grade teacher. His first grade teacher said R. was a girl inside a boy's body. It all makes sense now!!
At first I thought could he possibly be "gay?". No, or at least not as "open" and flamboyant as J. (another student). But there's "something"...
What made me question? R wants a barbie, carries paper dolls in his backpack, borrows floral hand lotion, is in cheerleading, is over emotional (cries alot, just like me!), and wants to be with the girls' group during a field trip.
And the latest clue...R. asked if mermaids were "real". His grandmother is making him a mermaid costume!! R. also had a little fight with a girl over a barbie doll. R. wanted to take the barbie doll home.
R is a child, I don't think he has any idea what is going on with him. I really hope he is loved and supported by his family.
Unfortunately, children can be mean. Lately, the boys have been telling him to stop being a girl...and yes, I talk to them about "name calling", and being mean. I feel for R. Life is not going to be easy for him/her. I wish him the best : ) May he be able to accept who he is, may he find the love and support that he/she needs.
6 comments:
We have a child at my school who is a boy in a girl's body. She wears boys clothes and has a boy haircut. She plays with the boys and will tell you that she is a boy. We found out mid-first grade that she was even using the boy's bathroom. Our problem came when we told her to use the girls bathroom. The boys didn't understand because they thought she was one of them. The girls didn't understand because they had no clue that she was one of them. They got over it quickly though.
My thoughts and prayers will be on that little one.
Unless they're very lucky, it's going to be a tough life for the next ten or so years especially...
Understanding people like yourself make kid's lves a little better and hopefully will give them more confidence about themselves...
I just saw a special w/ Barbara Walters about the mermaids and that being one of the signs.
Kids are cruel. Hopefully his parents are ones that will explain and support him.
I hope he has supportive parents who will love him unconditionally and help him figure out how to fit in and be true to himself.
Hey Teacher Estrella! I found your blog through Suvii's.
I am also a teacher and I once had a student like that. His parents where not supportive at all, in fact school was the only place where he was allowed to be himself. Well at least in our classroom.
With the end of the school year comes change and they ended up moving. I think about him all the time. I wonder how he is doing and if his family has finally excepted him for who he is.
By the way I loved reading you blog.
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