The First Report Card

I knew, intellectually, that Drake would be receiving a report card.  It's only Pre-K, but the school has standards and communicates those standards to the parents.  I wasn't expecting the report card to be in Drake's folder yesterday.  After all of the issues and the four trips to the Principal's office, I felt a catch in my throat.  I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) to read that "Drake is a sweet boy and a pleasure to have in class."  Whew!

The behavior is starting to turn toward the better, but there are still some set backs.  Two weeks ago, Drake shoved another boy to the ground.  Thankfully, the boy wasn't hurt.  When we were getting in the car that day, Drake said to me, "I don't want to send Frank a Christmas card."  (He has been making cards for all the kids in his class to mail out.)  "Why not?" I asked.  "Because Frank is mean," he replied.  Knowing that Frank was the boy Drake shoved, I had to dig deeper.  "Drake, what happened with Frank today?"

And then it all spilled out.  "Frank was pushing me and I told him to stop and he wouldn't stop so I pushed him."

"Did you tell your teachers that he pushed you first?"  (In the report from the teachers, when asked why Drake pushed Frank, Drake's response was "Because I felt like it.")

"No."

I felt two unusual sources of pride in my boy.  First, he didn't tattle.  We've been working on that with him, and even though both would have been in trouble, Drake's punishment would have been less severe.  Second, he didn't start the fracas, but by golly, he finished it.  I've been worried that Drake will become the target for bullies because he can be really sensitive.  I felt relief and pride, knowing that he will stand up for himself and not take any crap.  Should I be proud about that?