Further Proof that I AM a Bleeding Heart Liberal

as if you needed proof, and FYI I say that with a certain amount of pride. This will come at no surprise to those who know me even slightly well. Honestly, it is not to say that I embrace all that is liberal (well, maybe most of it) and have since before I knew what it meant to be liberal.

Most Recent Evidence: There is a child that I deal with at the club, I will call him, Ben. Ben has been known in and around the club (meaning SCHOOL) to be nothing short of a huge PITA, and I mean that. He pushes you. You tell him to stop at X spot, he has to be ONE step beyond that. Acceptable to me of my own children, umm...no. He constantly tests, and pushes to see what he can get away with. Ben is in either 3rd or 4th grade, right now I can't remember. I don't want to say too much just in case, but...I had to suspend him once for raising his hand in anger to threaten another student. He didn't hit, but my behavior policy includes the threat of violence with actions or words. So I give him a day off suspension, typed a behavior contract for him and I to go over when he came back. He came back, and before I could have him sign the damn contract had already had another incident with another student! My initial response was get rid of him. I was brought in specifically to bring structure and organization to a program that had not been well run in a long time, what message does this send?

I spoke with the program director who knows this child's family and situation, and he encouraged me to think on it. I, had been feeling bad about telling him he couldn't come back as it was, decided to give it serious thought. I talked to Dawnie, Mom and Warren, all with varying opinions as to the road I should take with this kid.

This is a kid that doesn't look at you when you talk to him, and I found out contrary to my own beliefs, this is not innate. Thanks Mom and Dad for giving me that without my knowing! I have met both parents and had "conversations" with each. Lets just say I know where the lack of eye contact comes from. Its not even like I can say "I see good in him." or
"He is just a likable kid." I don't, and he isn't.

BUT, the bleeding heart in me says, this is a kid that has been crapped on his entire life. He IS antagonized in school, and probably at the club too. WHAT IF? What IF...WE could be a difference in this kid's life. What if what he needs is this last chance? Could this be a story that this child tells years from now when he is a successful man raising a family? Could we be THAT difference for THIS kid???

"Ben" comes back to the club after a week suspension following his one day suspension on Monday. I have a small plan to keep him with me doing small, yet responsibility driven tasks for me starting Monday, following a meeting with him and his mom and having them sign a behavior contract with me. I will keep you posted on how my concessions have worked out for all of us. Keep your fingers crossed that this was the right decision and that I will not regret my bleeding heart.