Comments on: Shining a Light on Our Bullying Stories: Part One

By: mara

mara — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:19:19 +0000

it breaks my heart. that little girl, sadly, is lacking something in her own life-warmth, love, attention, guidance- to make her lash out at another like that. No child should ever be caused by another to wonder their value. I have three kids. Two have been bullied. My daughter ended up switching schools and blossomed in a new environment. My son, sadly, still lives a bit on the outskirts, but at least the bullying stopped after I told the school I’d call the police.
I’m so glad you told your daughter to advocate for herself. to tell on the other girl. We’re done not tattling. Its going to far, and telling is the only way to make it stop. I hope they do something about it. I’m adding your post to mine-I’m linking up bullying posts over at beniceorleavethanks.com. I hope you come on over and have a read!

By: YrHelper Infonut

YrHelper Infonut — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:36:09 +0000

Mt daughter too gas had terrible bullying problems,including cyber bullying through Facebook,having her new bicycle stolen,then the replacement clunker put in a tree,and finally being thrown in the lake by a group of girls.

There was an adult witness to the final action. The police were called,but nothing could be done,as they girls were all younger than my daughter. The results of this, were the parents started a rumour that my daughter had been sent to a detention facility for the years we had moved away from our village,while I was teaching in Toronto.

It's difficult to understand exactly what is behind this bullying,as the girls involved had been guests in our home,and I taught them at Sunday School.

My daughter started high school this year,and is with a whole different group of kids,so I'm hoping it will solve the problems.

I too was bullied as a child. Some say there is a 'victim' mentality,and blame the recipient of the attacks. To me this is a poor excuse,and tantamount to blaming the victim of beating.

Until this whitewashing of aggressive behaviour is ended,bullies will not get the help they desperately need to become productive members of our society.

By: Paula Schuck

Paula Schuck — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:33:21 +0000

Emily: thank you for your beautiful and kind comment. It does make some of us extra resilient, I think. You know I think the biggest thing for me was knowing my mom always had my back. She was a fierce advocate. 🙂

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:26:15 +0000

I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's bullying experience; no child should have to endure something like that. I can tell from your words and actions that you are a very strong person & I truly believe your daughter will follow in your footsteps toward making this situation right again.

I too was bullied as a child. I went to a Catholic elementary school from K-8, then to a public high school after that. Bullying started in gradeschool for many reasons: my mother was a teacher at the school and I was a very skinny, lanky, awkward child. In junior high (and high school) I struggled with acne, had braces for 5 years and a serious eating disorder. I always had a sharp tongue, which I believe was my saving grace during those incredibly awkward years. I was simply a late bloomer with really low self-esteem. I hated high school and would say it was probably the worst time of my life--but college is where I blossomed.

I found that my quick wit and ability to think on my feet was what made me strong, and that fueled me during those years. I went through some tough times, but I believe I am a better person today, as an adult, for it. People tell me they "can't believe" I was a shy, awkward and unpopular child/teen because I'm a completely different person today. I think the experience of being bullied changed me in that it made me stronger and more prepared for the real world.

At the end of the day life is still very much like junior high, unfortunately. People are still clique-y, catty and quick to ridicule. But, having already been through that experience once means I'm more than prepared to tackle it now.

Keep encouraging and lifting your daughter up; she will someday grow up to be a strong as her mother.