Okay, so this is a very awkward question but I have to ask. My fourth graders hug me all the time. Trust me when I say this, they need the hugs. Some of them come from home lives you just can't wrap your heads around. Even if they don't, most of them are emotionally very immature and there are conflicts and tears throughout the day that need calming with a reassuring gesture. Plus, it's just the culture of the school. Most of the teachers in my school are warm and friendly, and I see hugs all the time. So for me not to hug, it would really stand out to my kids as though I were cold or uncaring. Here is my hug problem. I'm not sure how to say this, but...I'm relatively tall so when the average fourth grader hugs me, their heads line up with my chest. This is very awkward for me. Also, I don't want anyone going home and telling mom that they experienced that part of my anatomy. I'm not sure what to do. I've tried to turn to the side when they hug me so it's sort of a side hug thing, but it still happens anyway at times. Any ideas on how I can handle this?
I assume you're too short if you kneel, right? I give out lots of hugs but am a taller man among third graders, so kneeling works for me.
Give a head hug...back up one step and bend like an upside down U...hug with head and shoulders only... On the way out my kids can choose a handshake, high five or hug...most go with high 5...
I feel like I usually do the side hug with just one arm so it's really more like me putting my arm around them then an actual hug. Not too many of my students hug though.
Maybe you could teach/tell them to do side hugs? Though not sure how you would respond if they asked why.
