My first call from the principal...........

I got an interesting voice message last week...........it was the principal, at Olivia's school, and Olivia, letting me know that there was a little problem on the playground at recess, but it was being resolved, and would I please call and talk to the principal at my convenience. I immediately panicked! My first thought.......Olivia in the Principal's office.........uh oh, what did she do? I am ashamed to say, she did not get the benefit of the doubt! I called Jon, who calmed me down enough to tell me I needed to call the principal and get the scoop. He was so nice, and on his daughter's side! So, I called her back, and got the whole story, which went something like this:

Olivia and her friend have been getting chased at recess. They don't like this chasing game, and it's against school rules. They have told the boy, Nicolas, to stop chasing them, and he would not relent. So, after enough attempts of "using her words" Olivia pushed Nicolas to the ground. He hopped up and punched her in the arm. The playground aid got involved, and they both wound up in the Principal's office. At this point in the story, I am secretly championing my daughter. Way to stand up for yourself, kiddo! The principal very kindly explained to me that while Olivia was justified in her frustration, and had taken many good steps in resolving the conflict, and asserting herself, she ultimately landed in the office for flattening this boy. She continued to say that Olivia was very honest in explaining her story and she appreciated that. To resolve things, Olivia and Nicolas were invited back to the Principal's office during lunch recess to play checkers, which they did.

When I later asked Olivia if they were friends now, she said, "I think so."

I can't tell her this, but I secretly LOVE that she is confident enough to stand up for herself no matter what! I am proud of my seven year old playground tough girl!