DarkKnight73's Journal, 30 Jun 22

So bullies...my daughter had a bully, but it was strange. the girl would taunt her and say things like "We all want to be like Willow" in a sarcastic tone. I was with her too, walking her home. So, it clearly upset my daughter, but I tried to put things in perspective, the girl was big, way bigger than most kids in her class, and quite heavy. I had seen her mom, and younger brother, they seemed a little less fortunate. I tried to encourage a rise above a friendship approach. To be honest, I don't have an answer to bullying. in the end my wife got involved, teachers got involved because now they have too, and I don't think it really made it better, it just made it all weird?? I think bullying needs addressed, but I don't think the current day approach is right either? I feel bad for teachers and schools when they are forced into action. I did not see my daughters scenario as that dire? Or was it? Anyone have modern bullying scenarios with their kids? 

Yeah, see I get that too. I think it's almost something the individual gas to figure out. Stepping in from an adult perspective seems futile and possibly counter productive (IDK). I do think educating young people on how these behaviors affect others is very important, but I also think bad will always exist so each person needs to figure that out. While I did not like my experiences as a kid, it did shape things and create a perspective. I was not perfect, and heck probably even bullied or picked on people that didn't deserve it either, not in a full on regular attack way, but in a moment, with a group, it was how we were in the day. I often look at the social media stuff that's current and it is really something intense, I can't imagine how it would have impacted my generation?? 

I believe in being truthful with your children from the get go as they grow, age appropriate truths… not “do as I say, not what I do” type of education, but be truthful (ex. Alcohol with a never before drank child/teen and addiction issues, if you don’t know what it taste like… you won’t ever crave it, explain cravings as in bad food choices and how hard it is to stop eating something or soda’s …. Be truthful, honest and let them decide on their own, but give them THE INFORMATION and at a young enough age so they can make those tough decision WHEN [and they’ll always will] it happens). My youngest is 16 and university ready… I didn’t get that opportunity and had to educate myself M.div and still educating myself lol 😂 and always will be. Nothing is perfect for everyone, but this has worked the best for me, I have two children from a previous marriage (29 & 26) and my youngest (and still at home) is 16. He’s had both mom and dad under one roof since birth… my other two didn’t…. That’s my/our fault( me & ex wife) not theirs, but an unsteady home life doesn’t help anything or anyone. My guess would be to educate with honesty the earliest you feel comfortable doing so, be truthful and tell them how bullying hurts and even share a personal story about it. Get them involved in changing it as early as you feel comfortable and able to control the senecio you choose to involve them in, so it will be a positive, championing experience of success… and then when the time comes… as many others on here have stated… let them handle it (to a point, of course, never let someone get hurt on purpose, always side on caution to the point of your own embarrassment… better to be safe than sorry… when it comes to a living soul, animal etc. etc. etc.) Good Luck!!