Do you remember watching Little House On The Prairie? Then I am sure you remember Nellie Olsen. All blonde ringlets and big hair bows and that sour look on her face. She made life hell for the children ( and even a few of the adults) in Walnut Grove. She was a horrible little girl, and everyone in town knew it, except for her mother Harriet Olsen.
Mrs. Olsen was forever storming up to the schoolhouse or marching over to the Mill or otherwise tracking down parents to tell them how awful their little brat and had been to her dear sweet Nellie. I think every kid in that town was taken out to the woodshed because of something Nellie Olsen started.
I think Nellie Olsen Syndrome or NOS is running rampant in the hallways, classrooms and playgrounds of today.
My daughter has a case of NOS in her class. There is a child who is simply unpleasant. She has an opinion (usually negative) on everything everyone in the class does. She is selfish and mean. She doesn't really get along with anyone. Everyone sees it except her mother who is always talking about how sweet she is. In fact this is a mother who has said that she would make her daughter take responsibility for her part in an altercation or dispute, but it has NEVER been that case that her child has been in the wrong.
When mom has been told about what others see as bad behaviour she replies that her child is "strong willed" or "likes to share her opinions" or "is just being silly".
In short when her kid tells your kid his handwriting sucks, she is just expressing herself. When your kid tells her kid that her lunch stinks. He is being a bully.
I know there are kids out there who are being bullied. Poor little buggers who would (literally) rather die than go to school for another day. Kids can be very cruel. We need to keep our eyes open and act on behalf of those kids who need our help. Having said that I don't think you are the best parent on the block just because you see your own child through rose coloured glasses. If your child complains about being bullied by everyone all the time. You need to take a long hard look at the situation. There may be a situation going on with your child that you need address. You might have to admit you have a Nellie Olsen in your house.
