Bullying has been an ongoing topic in our household these last few days. When I am in the classroom I am always aware that it can happen. I especially know how it makes children feel because I have two children at home and one has been through his fair share. Many teachers might not see it or say there is way too much going on in the classroom to even notice, but I know I must have 24 eyes ready and prepared to spot a bully. It’s NOT happening on my clock! Unfortunately, there are slip ups and it happens. It can happen basically anywhere. I find that even online as adults there is bullying. I often ask myself what is the difference between online bullying and school bullying? I have come to the conclusion that there’s NO difference. Bullies are bullies either way…online or off.
Let me give you an example. Here I have my son, if he doesn’t act the same as the others he’s a target. He may have a granola bar thrown at him (I shared the picture/story on Facebook and below) because he may not want to speak to someone. He also might be pushed because he’s the new kid on the block and is just keeping to himself for now. These school bullies are testing him. Same with online bullies. You have so many instances online where if you don’t have the same views, beliefs, or you voice your opinion, you are automatically being ridiculed. You are being told you will be taken off their friends list if your opinion differs from there’s. There’s a tasteful way of disagreeing but bullies know no boundaries. What type of nonsense is that? Isn’t that bullying?
When I speak to my son about bullying and these school bullies I often share the nonsense I see within social media. People think it’s okay to go on another person’s page and comment however they would like, or even go as far as putting the person down. Others sending direct messages or playing “vague book” to get their message or point across. The point is bullies are everywhere. We either stand up to them or we let them continue to bully us. That’s NOT happening on my clock! I will not allow for anyone to come on my page thinking they can put me or my voice down. They want to do that- do it on your own page! If someone wants to unfriend (it has happened before) me because I have different views and not the ones they like, that means they weren’t my friend in the first place.
I use these bullying examples for my son to show him that it’s okay to be different. It’s okay to have your own opinion, it’s okay to voice how you feel but don’t belittle or put anyone down in the process. Some didn’t get the memo I see. Oftentimes, people might be bullies and might not even notice it. Other times I believe they know but they rather it that way. The majority of times, bullies are battling with their own issues and insecurities so they just want to pick on others. They are unhappy within and can’t see others happy and moving along. As a parent, I always use my day to day situations to better explain to my children what goes on in life. I only hope they apply what I share, my experiences, their experiences and making the correct choices to put a stop to bullying. You would think after a certain age it would stop but that doesn’t seem to be the case. What needs to be done is that we stand up to those bullies and let them know, “it’s not happening here, not on my clock!”. Now carry along…..