mothering the village

We were waiting to pick up my girl from school with the windows down....enjoying the fresh breeze. A few 5th graders escaped early and were playing on the swings about 50 feet from my car.

Three girls started making fun of a boy for being in the "dumb" math class. They went on and on....and wrongly assumed that no one was listening.

Now, I have to say that I am so pumped that our school has implemented the Character Counts program. Their are six pillars: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. But these pillars are only as strong as the base they rest upon. And the children need to be held accountable.

While I was listening to the belittling, I felt compelled to act. I've been trying to be more obedient to The Spirit's promptings, so I got out of my car and sat on the hood. I took a breath, prayed for the words, and walked towards the swing set. I felt angry. I wanted to give these girls some serious what-for. I wanted to march them into the office. Take names. Lock them in jail.

I got the the swings, and rested one arm on a post with the other on my hip. Six eyes got very wide and were looking straight into mine.

"Girls, I want to gently remind you about the six pillars of character. Please think about what you are saying."

The Alpha female said, "We'll stop."

"Thank you." I said, and walked back to my car.

They stopped. Who knows if it was because I was still within ear shot, or if it was because they remembered the pillars. I hope it was the latter. But just in case, I'm going to be parking in the same spot while sitting on my car for the last few weeks of school.

Beware children! Your mama might not be listening, but this mama is!