Accident Reports. . .

I was greeted with an accident report today when I picked up Brady from daycare. At our center, "accident reports" are filled out when a child sustains an injury (like a tumble) that requires minor first aid. It details what happened, when and where it happened and the treatment that the child was given. It is signed by the center director and has to be signed by the parent when the child is picked up.

Brady has had his fair share of accident reports, but all of them have pretty much been self inflicted injuries. Until today. As the accident report reads, "A student who wanted the toy Brady had while on the playground scratched him on the cheek." The scratches are fairly angry looking, and one of them is across his nose and eye, all the way to the hairline on his temple. His eye is fine, the scratches are appropriately cared for and all will heal and be well. This wasn't done by some malicious deviant that terrorizes all the other kids in his class and beats them up. . I would bet that it was done by one of his friends. I figured with this age group it would happen at some point, and pretty much expect that it will happen again. My fingers are crossed that the next time it isn't bite marks.

(As an aside, I really wanted to ask if the other student got the toy he/she was so adamantly intent upon getting. But I didn't. . )

This made me realize that at some point when he is older, Brady is going to be faced with situations where he will have to stand up for himself. And one of my greatest hopes is that, as a mother, I am able to teach him to do just that.

Because, after all, even the playground bully needs to be put in his place every once in a while.