I’ve spent 30 years plotting my revenge
revenge on bullies that is!
Perhaps I won’t ever be able to come face-to-face with my own bullies, but I can deal with the bullies in the lives of my kids. Or better yet, I’m teaching my kids how to deal with their own bullies.
Last night after the whole haircut fiasco the one son that wanted the long hair most and who isn’t speaking to me because I made him get his hair cut – informed me that I totally ruined his life and that kids at school were going to be making fun of him.
Instantly, my wheels began to turn. If I could go back in time and handle this in any way – what would I do?
It seems the kid that does the most picking is a girl and I’m not going to lie to my kid and tell him what my parents told me in that “it means they have a crush on you.” That was one of the absolute LARGEST mistakes and lies you could ever tell a child. Some kids are just mean! Period.
I’ve got a few ideas of how he can handle her, but it’s going to mean embarrassing her in front of her friends or calling her out in front of someone that will force her to own her pathetic actions in trying to hurt someone.
Maybe I’m wrong – but I just can’t tell my kid to ignore it. From experience, when you do ignore it, it doesn’t go away.
If you were faced with a similar problem, what would you suggest your kid to to handle the teasing and torment?
I think embarrassing the girl is fine. As long as it’s truthful and not just plain mean in return. I think teaching children to be assertive and to stand up for themselves is a great thing.
Kids are cruel, for sure.
Yeah kids can be cruel although I must say now it is better than when I was growing up in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Those children had no mercy on me. Thank God I got over it.