Lately it feels like everyday we hear a story about bullying.
The school in Ohio that’s had 4 students in recent years commit suicide because of bullying.
The 11 year old boy who had both his arms broken because he was a cheerleader.
The 16 year old boy who was bullied for being Muslim.
How about all the reports of Gay Teens taking their lives because of the relentless bullying?
There was even the Dad who was arrested for yelling at the kids who were bullying his daughter.
What is going on in our society that we’re letting our kids think it’s ok to bully others? I personally would be horrified if I found out my daughter was bullying another child. I’m furious when I hear her call another child a “baby”. I don’t think she’d see the outside of her room for years if I caught her bullying another child.
This past week we to eat at our favorite restaurant in Southern Pines, Ashten’s. Ashten’s is an upscale, loungy, style restaurant. The type of place you sit on big comfy couches, sip on good wine and enjoy gourmet burgers. I’ll tell you more about those at a later date.
As we were sitting there I noticed a father and his son walk in and sit down beside us. His son appeared to be about 8. After listening (yes I’m nosy) to their conversation I realize they’re there to have a “father son talk”. Apparently this kid and his friends at school got in trouble for bullying a kid.
Through out their meal of Kobe beef sliders for appetizers, steak dinner and brownie sunday desserts, the father mentioned a few times that “being mean” to other kids wasn’t nice. He also said “You’re reallying lucky I’m not punishing you for this.”
WHAT?
Why are you not punishing him for this?
Was this is first offense?
Are you just a lazy parent?
Do you not see that you’re rewarding him?
Through the whole meal both the kid and the father were playing on their cell phones. When they did put down their phones the kid was bouncy and hyper. Clearly not listening to message the dad was trying to relay.
Again, I just don’t understand.
This week ooph.com, along with a number of other blogs are tackling this sad, scary subject. It’s up to us, as parents, to put a stop to this!