September 28, 2012 at 11:55PM

Tonight we went to the elementary school carnival! Kids had a great time! I did have a completely new experience with a disgruntled student, though. I was standing near the line for the rock climbing tower. Lizzie had been waiting in line for nearly half an hour probably. Slow line. As her section of the line got closer to the front it got more and more compact. It looked more like a mosh pit than an orderly line. I suggested everyone take a few steps backward a couple of times. I have worked with most of the students waiting there and they were happy to comply and get a little more space. A few people behind Lizzie was a mother holding a place in line for her son. He had finished with another activity and she called him over. He came, but wouldn't stand in line. He was a big boy, probably in 5th or 6th grade. His mom tried to get him to stand by her but his only response was growling, anger, and throwing handfuls of grass thrown on her. I do not know if he has any social or mental disabilities. I tried to keep in mind that there may be extenuating circumstances, but he was really getting obnoxious. The groups of kids that had made it to the front of the line were all pretty small, lower grades. And rather intimidated by this large aggressive boy. Well, all but Lizzie. He tried to shove into line in front of her. She just politely said "Um, your place in line is right back there. You can't butt me." No fear, just told him like it was. He growled at her and stepped out of line again to push forward some more. After his mother called his name several more times and he nearly trampled a couple of first graders, I stepped forward to see if he would respond to me. I put a hand on his shoulder and asked if he would step back to his place so they could all have their turn. In my years around children I though I'd seen a pretty good variety of reactions. Not much truly surprises me. Except for this! He turned around and growled at me (not a surprise). Then he glared at me and looked me up and down. Then he stepped closer to me and poked me in the belly button! I do admit that I laughed. I've found with most children if they are trying to get a reaction from you, sometimes it is most effective to give them a totally unexpected reaction. They don't know what to do about it. But that wasn't the case this time. It just totally surprised me! It did embarrass his mother enough that she came over and physically intervened and got him back in line. For a few seconds. By that point, though, I "happened" to shift over so I was standing between him and the small ones. Have you ever been so mad you poked a lady in the belly button? via Facebook