So...I thought I would talk about that today.
But first, let's talk about what a friend is.
A friend is someone who is there for you in your happiest hours, and in your darkest hours, when you are doing well, and when you are down and even broke. You may fight, but you make up. Friends tell you the truth, call you out when you need to be, and have your back when you need it. They don't talk about you they talk to you. They laugh with you, they cry with you. You are there for each other, unconditionally.
So now let's talk about the opposite...bullies...girl, boy, mom, dad, husband, wife, boss, co-worker, total stranger...it doesn't matter, mean is mean, a bully is a bully.
I went through it, each of my three kids has gone, or is going through it, and it breaks my heart to see it happening to them or anyone else. I feel like people are only getting meaner. Why?! Why must you make fun of what someone is wearing, what they look like, what friends they choose to have, what hobbies they are into? They make fun of you if you are too tall, too short, too thin, too wide. They make fun of you if you happen to have your own voice, or if their views are different from yours.
Ugh! I get so frustrated!
We try to raise our children to be individuals. To be leaders not followers, in other words, to be their own person and to follow their hearts. To not let others steal their joy or to try and lead them down a path that is not their own. To have a voice for those that have none. To step in when someone needs help and to stand up for what they believe in. To be kind, to give back, and to love unconditionally.
Yet, it seems that many times, this only makes them a target.
Maybe that's why sometimes I prefer animals over people. You could be having a good day or a bad day, and they are there for you, no judgment, just unconditional love.
No one should be made fun of for sticking up for another, for walking away from mean kids, for wanting to be their own person, for having a hobby that isn't what someone else thinks is "cool". They shouldn't be kicked, mocked, pushed around, or teased. No one!
But, it happens everyday to so many kids. If you don't join them, you become a target.
As a parent you feel useless. I see it so much on social media, parents talking about how their kid is being bullied, they come home crying, never getting invited to the birthday party, or getting invited so that they can be made fun of, being harassed and unfortunately some kids even committing suicide...and it is happening more and more. These are nice kids that don't deserve to be treated this way.
Maybe some people are just born mean, but more often than not, it is a behavior that is learned. Yes, lets address the elephant in the room. To all of those parents out there condoning this behavior by either not addressing the fact that your kid is a complete brat, by encouraging this behavior, or let's be real, by trying to live through your kids...well congratu-frickin-lations...
(clap - clap - clap)
You have raised a mean kid, a bully. You must be so proud. The cycle continues.
Ahhhh! Deep breath in.....and out...
Now mind you I am NOT perfect, I tend to have no filter (obviously), I wear my heart on my sleeve and I say what is on my mind (maybe to a fault). I make no excuses, what you see is what you get.
I still have friends from when I was younger. However, some of my deepest friendships came later in life and have lasted 35+ years and are still going strong. Through kids, life's challenges, moves, you name it...our friendship is rooted and true. True friends are hard to come by these days, especially when you are an adolescent kid just trying to get through school.
It doesn't matter how many friends you have, what matters is having true friends. If you go through life and can count on one hand how many true friends you have...you are blessed. Therefore...I am truly blessed.
To all of those kids out there being bullied...don't let them steal your joy...you have the strength to overcome. Don't be the victim and don't turn into the bully. Be the super hero that is inside of you and know that you are not alone. God made you the way you are, and you are indeed amazing! This is just a short time in your life, it will mold you into the person you were meant to be. Take what life is giving you and use it as a step. Be the solution, make a difference.
I will continue to encourage my kids to be the wonderfully, unique, kind and adventurous individuals that they are. No matter how old they are (because bullies aren't just adolescents) I will be there to wipe their tears, hug them, (may even go into full mama bear mode from time to time), I will offer words of encouragement and I will let them know that this to shall pass.
And through it all, I will tell them to find their inner super hero and wear that cape with pride! Be kind, love unconditionally, and just keep being YOU!
#NoBulliesAllowed #BeKind #LoveUnconditionally
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