Can I sue an educator who does not supervise children well?

Question:

My child was beaten by another child from kindergarten. He came home with a busted mouth; he can’t even eat now. Can I sue the educator? Where can I go to solve the problem?

I’m so sorry for your child. As a mother, I understand your outrage and pray for his speedy healing. But I don’t know if suing the teacher will solve the problem. Young children sometimes quarrel with each other and get in fights. It is true that the educator’s responsibility is to supervise the children carefully, but sometimes, no matter how well you supervise, accidents happen. Sometimes, right in front of our eyes, even though we watch them, children fall, hit each other, touch what they should not touch.

Maternal feelings are very deep, but we, as mothers, cannot allow ourselves to be driven by emotions, we cannot react out of emotions, but we must act on the basis of Scripture. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: 

Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NASB)

A Christian should seek to be in peace with all people: 

Never repay evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God  (Romans 12:17-19a NASB)

A Christian must be responsible for his actions and think about their consequences for the gospel.

Before going to court, think about the impact your actions will have on the child. What do you want to convey to him? How will you be able to build relationships with the educator after that? How will you tell her the gospel?

Maybe it would be better to talk to the teacher, to see what happened. If necessary, talk to the child’s parents, maybe even the kindergarten principal. It is important to look for a solution with love, not revenge!  

Before any action, do a Bible study, I especially recommend the course “Loving God and Others: The Heart of True Faith.”

God bless you with much wisdom!

Translated by Liza Bîrlădeanu