January 7, 201610 yr I sit here at work this morning, and read the obituary of an 11 year old boy. The obit states he was a straight A student, loved playing his XBox, and doing stuff on the computer. My son is 12, will be 13 on the 30th of this month, but that pretty much describes him, and his interest. This young boy is dead because he awoke Monday morning dreading going back to school because he was being bullied at school. Instead he gets his hands on a .22, and proceeds to shoot himself. I simply can't imagine the pain and suffering his parents are going through right now, and I pray to God that I never have to. I sat my kids down last night after hearing of this story, and we talked about bullying. I know kids always have, and I guess always will tease their classmates over trivial stuff, but how and when do we make this kids understand the pain and effect words can have on others? What more can schools do, or we as parents do? Neither the schools or parents can monitor the kids all day at school, and what words they say to others. My heart breaks and my prayers go out to this boy's family. :depressed::depressed:
January 7, 201610 yr Another sad and tragic loss :( Prayers for his soul and family, as well as those who suffer from depression ect.
January 7, 201610 yr As a parent of a school age child, that has always been my fear. That they would face something and think it was too big to handle and never come to mom or dad for help. I have spent a lot of time over the years teaching my kids that there is No Problem that they have that doesn't start getting better the minute they tell us about it. While not knowing the particulars of this situation...I always wonder how involved the parents actually are in their kids lives.
January 7, 201610 yr As a parent of a school age child, that has always been my fear. That they would face something and think it was too big to handle and never come to mom or dad for help. I have spent a lot of time over the years teaching my kids that there is No Problem that they have that doesn't start getting better the minute they tell us about it. Which is why I don't think you, and other parents like you, don't have to worry too much. I know it won't help settle your nerves, but what you say to your kid is what ALL parents need to repeat over and over from a very early age, "come to us no matter what, we will work it out, we love you". I think some kids that end up taking their own life do have parents that may have mentioned it, but not sitting down and reminding them over and over. It's horrible! But as we know, all troubles eventually pass.
January 7, 201610 yr Which is why I don't think you, and other parents like you, don't have to worry too much. I know it won't help settle your nerves, but what you say to your kid is what ALL parents need to repeat over and over from a very early age, "come to us no matter what, we will work it out, we love you". I think some kids that end up taking their own life do have parents that may have mentioned it, but not sitting down and reminding them over and over. It's horrible! But as we know, all troubles eventually pass. 18 year old kid that used to work where I did killed his self because he had a $1000 or so on a credit card he couldn't pay off and was being called daily by the CC company...he didn't see any way out and killed himself. Too many kids can't see beyond the 10 feet that's right around them...it is sad.
January 7, 201610 yr 18 year old kid that used to work where I did killed his self because he had a $1000 or so on a credit card he couldn't pay off and was being called daily by the CC company...he didn't see any way out and killed himself. Too many kids can't see beyond the 10 feet that's right around them...it is sad. Agreed. That is one reason I pray that all parents are like you, letting them know that there is nothing that can't be worked out. Sad that no one was able to tell him or convince him not to worry about those calls, that it can all be worked out.
January 8, 201610 yr Until a lot of parents step up and start being parents and pay attention to their kids and their child's needs, it will keep happening. It amazes me, during juvenile court, the amount of parents that are not actively engaged in their child's life. Some kids can be failing all 6 subjects and the parents don't know. How could you not know? It's time for parents to start parenting again in America.
January 8, 201610 yr Some good comments on a sad and tough subject. I believe that something that helps with the classic school-yard bullying is for adults (teachers, parents, others) to intervene when it is seen or known of or even just hearsay. And that does not mean big dramatic expelling or harsh disciplining of a bully. It means communicating to those involved that it IS noticed and it is NOT right and it MUST stop. Kids growing up (especially boys) will push their boundaries. They will cross lines they should not cross. And if they get away with it they will continue usually. I have found that, at least sometimes, that calling out the bully 1 on 1 and in a non-dramatic way can help. Again, kids (especially boys) need their chain popped sometimes to ensure they know what is right and wrong. Parents should work together. Teachers and administrators hopefully feel they can take subtle, but direct, 1 on 1 action when needed. It seems these things become a dramatic federal case at times and that may hinder the early intervention as everyone waits for someone else to fix the issue. Then it can be too late. Just my thoughts on this tough issue.
January 8, 201610 yr As a parent of a school age child, that has always been my fear. That they would face something and think it was too big to handle and never come to mom or dad for help. I have spent a lot of time over the years teaching my kids that there is No Problem that they have that doesn't start getting better the minute they tell us about it. While not knowing the particulars of this situation...I always wonder how involved the parents actually are in their kids lives. Kids need to feel their value and self worth. That starts very young by parents who take their most important job seriously.
January 8, 201610 yr Kids need to feel their value and self worth. That starts very young by parents who take their most important job seriously. Exactly...too many young parents today can't put down the game controller or quit snapping selfies long enough to have a relationship with their kids.
January 8, 201610 yr Bullying is an extremely big problem, and I think it starts at home. In school we were always taught about the importance of being a good bystander and doing something when we see bullying/teasing rather than just standing there. While that is very important and I did (and still do) intervene when I feel appropriate; I always thought a much better solution would be for a bully's parents (when he/she is still younger than high school age) to teach their kid why it is wrong. I too pray to see a day where bullying and teasing do not cross the line - because it is a shame to see students who were bullied in high school to struggle with confidence as adults.
January 9, 201610 yr The only time my youngest ever got in trouble at school was in the 5th grade. He had just changed schools, started football before school and the only kids he knew in the entire school were teammates. First week of school a big kid was bullying one of his diminutive teammates. Took his backpack and started the name tossing. My youngest took the backpack back, and when he got pushed in the back by the bully, he commenced to bloodying the bully's nose. The principal and I graduated together and it was an awkward phone call, but he got in no trouble at home. She said "when I got to the scene with one of the teachers, he was on top of him sitting on his back while the kid was face down".:lol2:
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