A student who was in my class last year's father was killed in a motorcycle accident last weekend. The child actually witnessed the accident and watched his father die basically.

Anyway, the kid decided to try to come to school today. He poked his head in my room and didn't see me, so he went onto his class. Well he only lasted a couple hours, which was understandable, and he was down at the office waiting for his mom. So I stopped to speak to him and told him if he wanted me for something he could stop by my room.

I turned my back and started tending to my own class, and all of a sudden i hear "HI MRS. R....." (my name). I turned around, and it was the boy's mother-- the wife of the man who was killed. I said "oh, hey!" but then I thought... she wouldn't have called my name if she didn't want me to say something--- but what??? So I just went into the office, gave her a hug, gave her son a hug, gave her nephew a hug (who also goes to our school) and left. If I would have talked to her I would have cried, and it didnt seem like anything would have been the right thing to say. Both parents were very involved in his schooling so I talked to them/saw them all the time.

So anyway--- was that reaction ok? I mean I can't go back and have a "redo" but still.... I'm just wondering.

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That is so sad what happened to the child's father.
In my opinion I think you did what anybody would have.In those instances there isn't much you can say.I think you expressed your remorse as much as you could.
I'm sure your feelings were understood.
I would have cried just giving hugs.

With emotions so high all around, I think what you did was great! You talked to the boy and that was wonderful! Sometimes actions speak so much stronger then words and I'm sure this family feels like you care very much about them!

Laura
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absolutley, actions speak louder than words, and just talking to the son and hugging mom and cousin w/out crying is remarkable, and what you did was not only acceptable it was caring
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Well, I said something to the kid and he actually laughed. Everyone (I'm sure) wants to talk about his dad so I just spoke to him like I would have any other day... I gave him the hug too but I just spoke to him like "normal" since I'm sure he already misses what normal felt like. I did casually say that I heard he was looking for me and if he wanted to chat to stop by my room. But then again I was thinking-- should I have said something more to him?