You may have heard me mention once or twice lately (he he) that I love Barrington, Rhode Island. We moved here on June 23rd and every single day are surprised - and delighted - by something else we love about this place. It just keeps getting better. The middle school is no different. The community has an amazing Facebook page on which people post thought-provoking tidbits, and there is massive - and I mean massive - engagement. I'm impressed. By how engaged - and thoughtful - these parents are.
The first dance (called "Sports Night") was Friday September 9th, and before the dance a parent posted this:
"All,
Tonight is the first sports night for many. I went to sports night growing up here. I remember the groups and cliques well. Please keep in mind that there are children at this age that my feel left out. Maybe they weren't included in a group etc. I think it is important to remind all of our children that if you see a child standing alone and seeming to feel left out to check on them. Ask them to join your group etc. No child should be left alone."
I got the chills and was teary reading this. "No child should be left alone." Such wisdom and basic human love and decency. Things that are often sadly absent these days as we witness instead an attitude that implies, "I'm in this for me and only me and will take care of myself and ignore you and your needs. The end."
One Super-mom left this comment to the sports night post above, " I have asked my daughter to look for AT LEAST 1 child that may appear left out. To reach out and ask them to join her. Her job is to come home and tell me what new friend she made... IMAGINE if everyone did this?!?!"
She later updated the group that, " I just got a call from the bathroom at BMS! My girl found someone that got ditched by her friends andthey are 'hanging out together' proud parent moment . . . ."
Another Supermom chimed in, "I just had this conversation with my kids. Reminded them that for many kids this is their first sports night and that there are bound to be some kids whose friends didn't show up." <"
Then these two Supermoms were conversing on comments and said, "It seems like just yesterday we were talking about this very day arriving before we know it and here we are. I'm so glad you posted this today in anticipation of our children gathering tonight. It's ironic, because I was just discussing the anti bullying post I wrote last year with someone who asked me to re-post it. I think I'll do so, as we're commencing on a brand new year with so much hope and anticipation for all it will bring. Each of our sweethearts deserves to feel happiness and comfort right where they are and for who they are! Thankfully we have amazing parents like you to help guide the way. The more parents who bring the importance of acceptance and kindness to light in their own homes the better we will all be. Cheers to a wonderful year ahead! And I do love my village." :
And yet another Barrington Middle School Supermom's comment: "I gave my boys the job of finding some 'friends' who may be wandering or 'drifting' looking for a way in. :) "
I commented to these involved and caring parents that I was blown away by their posts and that I would write a blog about them because, well, this is the Law of Attraction at work. When you put out positivity and care and love, it is returned to you - in spades! In spades.
How many of us could've used that support when we were in middle school? I thought so.
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