I never imagined I would say Harry Potter Camp is royally kicking my ass, but lo, it is.
A three-hour camp is ending up taking more than eight-hours of my time a day (not that I'm complaining, but it's leaving very little room for other Life Experiences) and thus, all that is on my mind right now is the politics of working with children and adults who have personalities I'm not use to, like the boy who, when upset at someone, shoves his finger in their face and shakes it violently while yelling, "You're a BAD, BAD BOY!"
How the hell am I suppose to cope with that?
You know, I'm sure it doesn't come through very clear here but I'm a very delicate little flower who bruises easily emotionally. In such situations, it's difficult for me because the child who is being told he's bad is having hard time and needs defense, but on the flip side the child who's violently telling others they are bad also needs... something. Protection? Love? Care? He's learning that behavior somewhere and I can't imagine ever telling a child they are BAD, BAD, BAD!
You know, there's a lot more to the camp than the interpersonal communications, most of the camp experience is awesome -- get the kids out of the house and meeting new people, doing service projects to better our community (donations to food banks) and globally (participating in a Peace Project to be sent to China). Nature walks, yoga, nguyen thi chi, creating rainsticks to be used in a Native-American chant to call upon the four winds. Lots and lots of interesting things I should be focusing on instead of the glitches of personalities.
But still. Some glitches, like the screaming at others that they are bad? Just cannot be overlooked and easily forgotten.
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8 comments:
Oh no...that must be very hard to watch, and listen to. Poor guy, it makes one wonder what he's hearing and dealing with all the time when he's not at camp.
You know, opportunity is a knockin' with that kid. Next time he does it, take him aside and say, "Sometimes people make bad choices or hurt our feelings but that doesn't mean they're bad. When you feel frustrated next time, could you try to use some different words? I'm sure it doesn't make you feel good to be called a bad boy so let's not do it to our friend, okay?"
On another note, I'm paging through my Harry Potter books to try and find a spell to help you out but I'm coming up with nothing so far. A Patronus Charm might do nicely to lift your spirits, though.
I want to hug that poor kid. And you.
And then I want to make a rainstick. Sounds like a fun camp. Don't let that get you down. :)
LC, for reals. I can't get past the title of the post. I love it SO much.
I'm all with you on the delicate flower thing. Sometimes things that aren't directed at me (like husband yelling frustration at dogs) wounds me emotionally.
I like tonkelu's idea.
What you need is a cheering charm. Sending one post haste (with some chocolate to chase away the coldness the dementors of this world leave behind)
thre is always someone out there to shock us silly.
I had one my class participants tell me he wanted to meet with me after class.....sit at a desk....so he could tell me he thought this one woman in class was evil, had very dark energy and he did not want her anywhere near him. I asked him if something had happened........no nothing. But he want's me to keep her away from him.
Right dude.
I totally understand how Harry Potter camp can kick a person's ass, and reveal things about people that might better be left unrevealed. I think you handled the "bad boy" thing very well.
If it makes you feel any better, one of the ones in our group punched another one in the face. Twenty minutes later they were friends again.
I can't imagine. Hang in there!
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