I was trying to put together a “cool” artsy blog for this week and I was having trouble. Too many things on my mind…
The forefront of which was the latest high school shooting here in the States. I remember being in high school and I think even the idea of being scared or losing my life at my high school would have been impossible to comprehend. It would never have even crossed my mind.
I do know that when I was in art class I was happy. Even if I didn’t learn anything that day, it was a refuge. Other kids knew I was good at drawing and it was my “thing”. Art made me realize that no matter how “uncool” I was or what was going on in the microcosm of high school, that I had that – art – and the simple joy it brought to me. Other kids had band, or football or writing, or cheerleading. Something that they liked and made them feel accomplished. I don’t have any answers to these shootings, but I think kids these days need that – just simple joys. A sense of being good at something and appreciated for it.
We had to move our son to a private school this year due to severe bullying over the past few years in elementary school. Yep. Elementary school. He grew to hate school and had headaches all the time. He would get off the bus crying so I started driving him, but it didn’t fix the problem. He was ten when we decided to move him out of the school. I clearly remember sitting in a parent/teacher meeting just a year ago with the principal, advisors and the school psychologist saying… “He is so angry all the time! I don’t want him to be the kid shooting up the school when he gets older!”
My son’s thing is creating things. No surprise there as the son of an artist and an engineer, but it was not appreciated at his past school. He is not devoted to sports, is physically on the small side, and was called a “nerd” and “gay”. How sad that that phrase is still used as a weapon.
So last week at his new school while in art class my son made a gadget with cardboard which actually took quarters and dispensed candy. He has been making wondrous gizmos like this for the past few years (like this miniature windmill golf course made with cardboard, popsicle sticks and toothpicks. And no – he had no help from anyone.)
The art teacher noticed and was amazed. My son’s new friends told the teacher that he had a bunch of creations at home and they bragged to the teacher at how during a playdate that they had seen them and that they were amazing. He has made a donut dispenser that only takes quarters and will reject any other coin, a hockey table, (above) a candy dispenser out of legos, a skee ball machine….
and is almost finished with a cardboard pinball machine. He just brought me this one afternoon….
So the teacher asked him to bring in one of his creations from home. Just that, a simple, “May we see it?” He brought in a game the next day that gives out gumballs when you get a marble in a hole – kind of like a miniature golf course. The teacher then asked Braeden to share what he made with others and then later invited him to come down and teach how he made it to second graders during their class. It may sound simple, but what she did was an amazing act of kindness and promotion of self-esteem. She recognized his strength and then put him in a place of importance to teach others. My son came home saying “this was the best day ever!” He told me all about it and I could feel the pride coming off him in waves.
He has friends now that want to create things. He is in a robotics class after school. He is so happy.
So yes, switching schools has made a difference to him and our family, but most important is that he feels good about himself again. These kids need to feel important. They need to be appreciated for who they are and the many ways that they are creative and unique. Maybe then the anger would go away.
My heart goes out to the families who have lost their children so suddenly and also to those who have kids that are suffering.
High 5 to you!
🙂 thanks!
Oh, my, that made me cry. For you and your son for the bullying, and for his new joy! Thank you!
sorry! but glad it touched you! 🙂
When I met Braeden I immediately got a sense this young man was unique and had wonderful perspective during our conversations. I’m so glad he is being appreciated by his peers. His creativity should flourish! Thanks for the uplifting insight!
thanks! 🙂
Hey, Braedon, your work is AMAZING!!! You are one to watch!
he is smiling!!!!
Wow! So glad you found a school that celebrates his talent and creativity! What a brilliant mind he has!
agreed! 🙂
This brings tears to my eyes! I’m SO glad you were able to get him into an environment that will help him grow in all ways! I can’t wait to see what wondrous thing he will invent for all humanity when he grows up!
agreed!:)
Thank you Christine, this is beautifully and so eloquently expressed. Thank you for sharing your awesome designer of a son with us!
🙂
Powerful blog! It’s a wonderful thing that your son has found his happy place!
agreed! 🙂
Your son is amazing. Your story made me cry because as usual your words hit home.
so very lucky that you found a school that appreciates him. Not really my first choice, but we sent our son to karate school. After the first bloody face, the kids left him alone. Today I have grandkids who do not want to go to school at all. Would private school have helped?.
Private schools have their problems too. I went to 7 different Catholic schools until 9th grade and was bullied at each one. so for me, a public high school let me hide more and find people like me. I guess it is different for each child. hugs to them and you!
Awesome blog
Thank you
you bet!
The beauty of smaller private schools, which is what my grandchildren enjoy. So glad you are able to manage the expense so he can thrive there. I retired after 30 years in public schools and while I was fortunate to be in a nurturing middle school, I know they are not all so inviting to everyone. I loved seeing his creations. Our grandkids also have robotics and lots of creative endeavors. You are saving his life, as well as giving the world a unique young man who is a treasure. I’m sorry the public schools couldn’t meet that need.
See you in April!
Sally
hi! I admire anyone who is a teacher. yes, can’t wait to work with you!
Oh wow!!!! How wonderful to hear, there is nothing more a parent wants for their children than their happiness.He is such a creative young man,….and love his smile. Bless those teachers for the job they are doing, and for great supportive parents. I wish him every good thing in life,…….and keep creating. There’s nothing better.
🙂
How wonderful for your son to be seen and appreciated, both by his teachers and his peers. Great confirmation that you did the right thing by moving him. I was bullied so badly in middle school that my parents sent me to a private high school where I made wonderful friends that I’m still in contact with. Children’s emotional and psychological care and development must be as important as their intellectual development, or they won’t grow…in fact, will decline. May he blossom to his full potential. He has a lot to offer this world.
I agree- thanks for sharing your story too!
He is amazing! Thanks for sharing this story with the world! For many the art room and the art teacher are the safe places and the people and places where we can shine.
so true! go art!!!!
My son was also bullied, particularly in high school. Glasses, crooked teeth, gangly. Teachers thought he was “stupid” because he was quiet. He stayed home a lot with headaches. My husband spent a lot of time in the garage with both sons, building cars and trucks. We made sure the long guns were locked up safely. Little TV, limited computer time. The toys of choice when they were young was Legos. Origami was a favorite past time. The word “bored” was not allowed. By the time my son was 18, he had 3 US patents. By 21, he had 4 more. Never went to college. Today, he is a successful, happily married man, with a child, and another on the way. Being a teen is not easy for any one.
what a great inspirational story. yes, high school is so rough! thanks for sharing….
I love your story about your son. I wish him the best in a creative life.
thanks so much! we are on the right track now….
thank you so much!
A wonderful story, beautifully written. I adore you.
back at ya sista!
Wow, what a powerful story! It’s too bad that schools haven’t figured out how to combat bullying. It’s a tough subject. So glad you found a better place for your son, and that his talents are being recognized. Thanks for sharing your inspirational story!
thanks! 🙂
Beautiful. I love good work like this. More power to you and your son, Christine. He’s a gem, and he’s got parents who back him up. Cool. Glad he’s getting a chance to shine!
thanks! he is a sweetie!
he is….
This was SO insightful! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your life. BTW, you’re a sensitive and wise mother to an amazing son.
Thanks Anne! Back at ya!
Next time I’m back in “the ‘Burgh” and visit, I need to see more of his inventions – I still like the donut dispenser!!
ha! I know- my favorite one. yes, hope to see you soon!