No Empty Buckets

Thom and Zibbi's buckets are full.

At Ben's school there is talk of "filling your bucket" or "filling someone else's bucket", meaning you do something kind that fills the other person (or yourself) up with good stuff.  Emptying your bucket would be the opposite, doing something mean that leaves the other person (or yourself) feeling empty.  

At the beginning of the school year, as we were walking home one day from school, Ben told me that a fifth grader (just to re-cap, Ben is in 3rd grade) pushed him against the fence and started making fun of him.  He told Ben that he was just a 3rd grader, that his ears were big, he grabbed Ben by the nose and continued to taunt him.

Lotta's bucket is full!

Ben was very proud of himself as he described how he would NOT allow the other kid to bully him.  He just shrugged and said, "Yeah, I AM a 3rd grader."  and "I like my ears."  Ben told me that he refused to let the other guy empty his bucket, he had his lid on tight.

I am sure you will not be at all surprised, this description brought out my momma bear.  I phoned his teacher who went to speak with the 5th grade team.  The principal was notified. She explained to me how she wanted to have a meeting with Ben and the other student to allow them to have a discussion where the two boys could interact in a different way. After the meeting, I inquired how it went.   Ben informed me that he was never afraid of the other guy.  That Ben is a true super hero!

Super Ben!