Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
I want to help
Topic Started: Oct 14 2012, 12:52 PM (16 Views)
DarlingNikki

I would like to apply to help as well.

I am a 38 year old mother of 6. I have dealt with depression for most of my life and have had to use resources out there during difficult times, so I am very familiar with both depression AND places/resources people can go to for help.

I have dealt with situations where my own children have been bullied, both at school and where we live.

I do not work, so I am available 24/7.

My children are 22, 18, 16, 13, 12 and 9 years old, so I have also dealt with many of the tough issues children and teenagers today face.

Here is a note I wrote on my facebook page:

Bullying Tragedy

I want to say a few things about bullying & kids/teens being victimized. We talk a lot about how we need to stop bullying. We've provided options for kids who are being bullied. We have discussed endliessly how wrong that kind of behaviour is. And all that is great.

But...how do we deal with the kids who have done something they are ashamed or embarrassed of? Something they are afraid they will get into trouble for, so they keep silient about? THIS is fuel for bullies. Kids and teenagers make mistakes. Amanda Todd made a few mistakes. Why? Because she was a perfectly normal teenager. Look, kids and teens WILL do stupid shit. As adults we must realize this. We MUST understand that they do not have the life experience, nor the maturity to make the right choices and decisions that we hope they will.

So they keep some of their mistakes secret. Secrets kill. It's long overdue for parents to send the message to their children that NOTHING they do is so terrible that they should consider dying their only option.

When we take away the fuel for the bullies, we take away their power and the effect they have. I don't know how to accomplish that, but I do know how to stop them from using secrets against others. Kids sometimes can't seek help because of bullies because they are to afraid to tell what it is they are being picked on for. So it continues and continues, it builds up to the point where tragedy sometimes strikes.

I know kids aren't going to go confessing all to their parents. That's not realistic. What IS realistic is talking to your kids about suicide. Discuss with them why it sometimes happens with kids their age. Make sure they know that nothing they do will ever make you love them less. Tell them that if ever they feel they are being bullied, never to hold that in. Tell them about their options to talk to someone if they aren't comfortable talking to you. And if you must, beg them to seek help when they need it.

And this:

If anyone has ever asked me what bothers me the most, I've always said bullying, intimidation and the like. The death of Amanda Todd, and all the other teenagers, due to bullying literally enrages me. Adults...step up. Make it clear to your child AND their friends that you are someone they can go to and trust. With ANYTHING. Send that message out. The one that says you not only have the time to listen and help them, but that you care and WANT to. It takes a village to raise a child, be that village. You could save a life. You could ease the pain.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Introduce yourself · Next Topic »
Add Reply