It's a shame that it gets to that point. As a parent, I can see equipping my kids to protect themselves against bullies if the need arose. I can certainly understand where she's coming from while not completely agreeing with her decision.

Being one of the bigger kids in the school, I was on the other end. I was pretty quiet and my parents raised me to respect others. Every now and then a kid would test me, perhaps in an attempt to gain playground cred. It takes quite a bit to get me wound up and you can only get pushed so far before reacting. I don't ever remember anyone trying twice.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)