In 1997 my son was in Grade R at Endeavour Primary School. On coming home from work one day his grandmother informed me of a picture he drew at school.
I was informed that there was something wrong with my son and he needed to see a psychiatrist. On asking for the picture my son told me that he threw it away. I asked him to bring it to me. Looking at the picture I noticed something. I was bigger than his father, my hands were quite big and I realised that my son saw me as I am — big with large hands. I noticed my son had drawn a downward line over his father’s and his groin area. I asked him what the line was and he said it was the zip of his pants. This had been the problem — his grandmother had seen the lines as penises. I immediately phoned the teacher and asked her about the picture. She told me that their topic for the day was families and I need not worry about my son. If he did draw their private parts, it’s also okay as it is all part of what they learn at school.
I would like to thank the teacher who made me realise that before jumping to conclusions one should listen and read between the lines. The year she spent with my son made a tremendous impact on his life and what he learned in Grade R he will remember for the rest of his life.
I appeal to parents to never judge your children and also never try to intimidate your children by putting things in their minds.
EJ Benjamin
Kimberley