Bullying has become such a big problem in recent years, but it has been a psychologically damaging problem that has been around for many, many decades. Your parents were probably bullied or knew someone who was. Her parents were bullied or knew someone who was, and her parents were bullied or knew someone who was. Not only that, but many of the adults around you could have been the same bullies. Most of the time bullying is done intentionally, but there may be very few cases where bullying can happen accidentally. Take, for example, the most recent episode that happened at the elementary school where I work. One of my kindergartners overheard two fifth graders calling each other (awkward and silly) names and laughing about it. So he decided to start singing the word “awkward” and point to one of the girls. One kindergartner went to two, then three, and before we knew it, there was a circle of about ten kindergartners singing. It was then that we realized what was happening, but by then it was too late. We got the little ones to shut up and we started asking questions. It turns out that these little kids overheard fifth graders insulting each other. The girls were playing around, being silly with each other and insulting each other was okay. Once the girl started hearing it from a group of children who continued to sing despite being told to stop numerous times, she became uncomfortable. Her friends were with her, however, no one went to get help to stop the little ones. Regardless of the age difference (a kindergartner calls a fifth grader awkward), at that point we can say that we can consider such bullying. She made the fifth grader feel bad, uncomfortable, and ashamed. However, she went unintentionally. The kindergartner didn’t know any better, but they know better now.

As children we do not understand that sometimes we have no control over how we dress, how we look or how we eat. We tend to be intimidated for being too short or too tall. For being too dark or being too light. They make fun of people for being too skinny or overweight. In my day, people used to get bullied for being too smart! Being called a nerd was insulting. Now it seems that you are intimidated if you are not so smart. You guys want to fit the Nerd profile. Have you ever stopped to think that the “overweight” person you make fun of may have a medical condition that prevents them from reaching a healthy weight? Do you ever stop to think that that person who dresses “old-fashioned” may be going through a financial bind at home? Do you ever stop and think that this person who is extremely quiet, shy and with himself maybe has a bad situation at home? They may be going through a parental divorce, abuse, or any other unknown situation. The person who may have “funny” skin may have a medical condition that they cannot control and there may not be medications to help it. Is it fair that we punish each other for not understanding or not knowing situations?

But let’s take a look at why people might bully others. If you have ever been spoken to, if you have ever experienced any kind of belittlement, think about that person who made you feel bad. What are they missing? Why are they happening? Who makes you feel powerless or fearful? Bullies are often people who have very little or no self-esteem. Very little or no self-confidence so they need to do something to strengthen themselves. To feel better than others. They may be being bullied elsewhere and the only way they can let it out is by doing it with others. Of course, there is no reason that bullying is right.

If we all worked on loving ourselves, bullying would happen less. The reason for this is that if you can really learn to love yourself and believe in yourself, what others tell you wouldn’t matter. And if you really love yourself there would be no need to make others feel bad to get pleasure for yourself.

Every day is a new beginning and every night be thankful for another day. Remember that no matter how bad you think your day was, there is someone else who would give anything for your life. Remember that no matter how hard you think your parents are being, they are there trying to do the best they can with what they have. As parents, we remember what it was like to be a teenager; however, times change and the more you talk to us, the more we can help and guide you. We have the best intentions to give you a better life than we had and you will want to do the same when you are older. But before they can give themselves a better life, they need to focus on school to get as much information as possible. Having fun is great, but set goals. Visualize and imagine all the great things you would like to be and create a plan to work on it, the fun will happen along the way.

Finally, I want to end by saying, smile! A smile could change the world. A smile could fill an empty heart. We all want to be accepted and loved, it’s in our DNA.