MomsTalk: Bullying a 6-year-old

What lessons are being taught to the kids at an Edgewater, Florida elementary school as a group of parents  picket  and protest hand washing and other safety precautions put in place to protect a 6-year-old from exposure to peanuts? What lessons is the little girl learning as her friends and peers picket with their parents to try and force her to be home schooled?

Jennifer Bargerstock,  Falls Church resident, married, with two sons and a daughter, one Golden Retriever, one mixed poodle-terrier, two cats.

I am horrified and saddened by this story. The parents of these little children are protesting having their bathroom time before they enter the classroom to wash hands and on return from lunch. The parents are protesting also because they want to bring home prepared food to parties, and can’t imagine not bringing peanut butter. None of these seem to be a good reason to bully a 6-year-old girl with a disabling illness; a life threatening allergy to peanuts.

The little girl’s parents are very brave to allow her to go to public school and not isolate her out of fear of her severe allergy.

Would the protesting parents like to have their little darlings excommunicated over hand washing or peanut butter and jelly?

I also think the protest is ridiculous because they are upset about rules and routines that are in place in many school systems in the country. Many classrooms don’t allow homemade food for parties because of the potential for improper food safety in a private kitchen; an idea I support. Often, younger elementary students do line up and head to the bathroom together in a group before class and after meals, recess or PE.

As a former elementary school teacher, having planned restroom time minimized disruption through the day and reduced interruptions.  I imagine the kids benefit from washing their hands and mouths and preventing the spread of germs as well as washing away traces of peanuts.

The part about the protest that horrifies me:  I can’t imagine the heartbreak that little baby girl must be feeling, having her classmates picket against her being in the classroom with them. I hope she is shielded from seeing their angry parents making statements on the news.

How sad for her and her parents to live in a community that attacks the most vulnerable and allows public bullying of a 6-year-old. Do they realize that their children are being taught that it is okay. to gang up on a person just because they are different? What ever happened to compassion and caring? Why is it okay for these adults to bully this little girl?  Will she ever forget her community protesting against her?