Tara is convinced that her son is a bully because he won’t share his toys, makes fun of another boy in his class for being lactose intolerant and pushed someone who tried to hug him. Her husband doesn’t think its an issue, but she’s worried that her son is a bully and they’re missing it.
Jonathan: All right, this is from Tara. It’s an email as we often get because some people don’t have time to come on air with us, which we understand. I love the show. I think this might make a good panic button segment for you. I’m afraid that I am raising a bully. But my husband doesn’t seem to have a problem with it. My son is eight years old and in the second grade he’s a sweet kid at home. But lately he’s been getting in trouble at school. For instance, a few weeks ago, he was in trouble for not sharing. He had brought a toy to school for Dinosaur Day. I guess, where they’re allowed to bring dinosaur toys to school and wouldn’t share with other kids. And it caused the problem.
Ayla: Okay.
Jonathan: Also, last week, I got an email from a teacher that he and another kid got in a fight. Apparently the kid tried to hug my son on the playground and my son pushed him away and said, quote, Hugs are for losers.
Ayla: Her son said hugs are for losers?
Jonathan: The teacher said another kid told her that he had said that. I don’t think he said it.
Ayla: Hugs are for losers?
Jonathan: There have been other incidents as well. He apparently made fun of a kid for being lactose intolerant.
Ayla: How does one make fun of a kid for being like, Oh, you want milk? I bet you really want milk, but you can’t have any, can you?
Jonathan: We should go to a dairy farm because then Devin won’t be able to go.
Ayla: Calm down.
Jonathan: He made fun of another kid for being lactose intolerant. What a bully. And there are other incidences as well. I was bullied when I was a kid in a similar way, and I’m really sensitive to this, but my husband doesn’t seem to think it’s a problem and I’m trying to convince him that we might need to see a counselor with our son to address the root of the issue, which I think my husband is enabling, by the way. We’re both listening. Can’t wait to hear what you and the audience have to say about that.
Ayla: That’s all we got about the husband, that he’s enabling it or facilitating it. We don’t know, like his background or anything.
Jonathan: I’m assuming he is a bully in the background. And, you know like the bullied kid bullies. That’s what happened to me. I was bullied in high school and junior high school. And then I married my wife.
Ayla: So now what. She’s a bully?
Jonathan: Big bully.
Ayla: Well, at least you know.
Jonathan: It makes me feel like I’m in control of the situation because I’ve chosen it. I’m just kidding. Katie, you know you’re an angel.
Ayla: Not a bully.
Jonathan: Yeah. It’s only funny if you know her.
Ayla: Right, Exactly.
Jonathan: Anyway, Tara is convinced her son is a bully because he apparently made fun of a kid for being lactose intolerant. Wouldn’t share his dinosaur toys. And when a kid tried to hug him one time, he, according to other kids on the playground, shoved the kid and said, hugs are for losers.
