Tomorrow at school we will talk about how to handle differences and conflicts. We will use the homework to look at eight different ways for second graders to solve problems. Though there are many alternatives, we have chosen to focus on these eight:
* Share
* Apologize
* Get Help
* Take Turns
* Ignore the problem
* Tell the other person how you feel
* Compromise
* Walk away from the problem
Thank you for your help with the homework. We are pleased to be working with you to support your child's ability to solve problems without violence.
Axe: So I wanted to talk to you about this thing from school. It's got this wheel of problem solving with eight ways to solve problems.
Axelet: Yeah, I read it.
Axe: What do you think about these eight ways to solve problems? Do they work?
Axelet: Not very much.
Axe: All this advice from your teacher does, is make her life easier. It doesn't make your life easier. I'll tell you a secret the teachers don't want you to know. Violence does solve problems. In fact, it solves almost any problem you'll ever have.
Axelet: OK, daddy
Axe: I especially don't like this "Ignore the problem" item. Ignoring people who torment you just makes it worse. You have to confront people like that.
Axelet: Let's make our own wheel to solve problems.
Axe: Good idea. What should we call it?
Axelet: The wheel of controlling thoughts.
Axe: ...ok
Axelet: How about we name it after we're done?
Axe: OK. You start.
Axelet: Tattling!
Axe: Does tattling solve your problems?
Axelet: Sometimes, it makes the teacher forget what I did and get angry at someone else. But not very often.
Axe: OK, what else?
Axelet: Shove them!
Axe: Good one.
Axelet: Now you name one.
Axe: Punch them in the eye!
Axelet: Daddy, that's a little TOO violent. Try again.
Axe: Hm, OK. How about SHOUT at them.
Axelet: Yeah, that works pretty good. How about Tease them?
Axe: Does that work?
Axelet: Oh, yeah. That works all the time.
Axe: I guess I don't understand the girl's approach, but you seem to have it down.
Axelet: I guess so. Can we play barbies now?
Axe: What do you want to call this wheel?
Axelet: The wheel of pain.
Axe: Yeah, that fits. So anytime you have a problem, just pick a solution from the Wheel of Pain. Here, we'll put it on the refrigerator.
"Anyone may report suspected child maltreatment to local departments of social services or the statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 24 hours per day, seven days a week. The hotline number within Virginia is (800) 552-7096 and (804) 786-8536 outside the state."
God I hate their hold music.