When I was young and someone called me a name, I remember yelling out that phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me“. Although I remember saying that phrase, I don’t think I ever really meant it. When you are young and you have someone calling you a name that makes you feel bad, sometimes the only way to protect yourself is to act like whatever the person said doesn’t bother you.
During my school years I remember that I always wanted to fit in. I didn’t necessarily want to be the popular crowd, but I didn’t ever want to give kids a reason to pick on me. In school you tend to get judged by what you wear, so even though my mom wasn’t rich, she always tried to buy me some name brand clothes and shoes for school so I felt good going to school. My mom spent a lot of time rummaging through the sales and clearance racks trying to find me deals that wouldn’t break her pocket that would put a smile on my face. I never made fun of the kids that were less fortunate, but I can’t say that I didn’t see it happen.
Childhood bullying can have a lifelong impact, leading to depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even suicide. But we have the power to prevent it, if we take action.
Now that I am a mom, I have a tendency to worry about my children and the bullies that they might come across at school. When my kid’s come home and tell me about rude or cruel things that other kids have said, it makes me sad and even mad. I teach my kids to be nice to others and treat others how they would like to be treated and am hoping that more and more parents will encourage their children to praise other kids instead of put them down.
Now it is your turn! Take a pledge today to help to END bullying now!
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Your pledge is important! I would love for you to leave me a comment letting me know you have took the pledge!
This is a sponsored post through Linqia and the opinions stated herein are 100% my own.
i wasn’t “bullied” but my group of friends in jr high were the original “mean girls” for sure. each week they’d decided to just ostracize 1-2 girls in our circle. often me. one morning i got to school and llockermate had moved out- two lockers down. with someone she couldnt stand. …all because mindy and deb decided i was ‘the outcast that week. my parents moved us to new hampshire at the end of the school year.
It’s so true, words really DO hurt!! Thanks for taking a stand against bullying and sharing your thoughts!
with a child with autism I worry so much about bullying. I am ready to pull the kids out of school and homeschool if need be.
Such an important cause. I took the pledge!!
All of us as parents need to take this seriously and make the world a better place for ALL of our children!
I wasnt ever bullied but I remember a few times standing up for people who were getting harassed. Its so senseless. I just dont get it. Even adults are bullies sometimes – just unfathomable.
Thanks so much for bringing an important subject to light. I can’t understand people who bully people.
It’s great that you are sharing your story and bringing awareness to this. I had some tough times as a kid too and saw other kids struggle with bullying as well. I worry about my kids and I’m glad to hear there are campaigns like this to bring it into the light and help prevent it.
I signed! It’s definitely important to make kids aware the words are powerful to hurt. But also to heal!
I’m so glad that people are really focusing on bullying now- it’s been such a big deal for so long but everyone has always said “just ignore them”. That’s not enough, especially now with cyber bullying & just more aggressive kids.
my daughter is only 5 and always comes home saying this one kid was being mean to her and hit her or something. She says he gets times out but i feel bad for her that shes already being picked on
I signed it! I was often bullied as a child as was my husband so this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart.
This is such an important topic and we really must stop bullying.
I was bullied a lot when I was growing up, and nothing was ever done about it. Back in the 70’s, they thought it was just kids being kids. But it was terrible and mean. Years later I saw the people that bullied me at a reunion, and I could not help but remember all the mean things they did to me. I really believe it does hurt for years to come when a person is bullied! I took the pledge!
I really hope M doesn’t have to deal with bullies 🙁
So far I have not had to deal with this with my kids and they do not bully others but it is such a growing problem
Bullying is something I just can’t stand. Thanks for bringing this up!
I can’t stand bullying, so I took the pledge!
I worry about it with my kids too, but thankfully it hasn’t been an issue so far.
Bullying is horrible and I worry about my son.
It’s not just childhood bullying either – I’m so tired of the mommy wars and elitists!