Pink Shirt Day 2012

My daughter’s school is participating in the pink shirt campaign tomorrow, and I love it.

There is so much information on bullying now. Way more then 'back in the day' when I was in school, when it still was considered a "right of passage".

I know in my daughters school they are continually discussing what is bullying, how to spot a bully, who to tell... So much that sometimes it seems like there shouldn't be this problem anymore.

I wish this were the case. We discuss often with my daughter the "golden rule" Do to others as you would want done to you. I think this is a great life rule, with no necessary religious affiliation. When she has her feelings hurt, we talk about it, and we also speak about how to treat others.

At the beginning of the school year, when my daughter walked across the street with the crossing guards, there is one crossing guard (a kid) that always makes a comment to her, and without hearing what he says, I saw my confident daughters shoulders slump, her eyes look down, and I felt so sad. I made her tell me what he said, and we discussed what we could do about it. All she can do is keep telling her teachers and me. I tell her never to keep it a secret. This has finally stopped, but I still hear of the kids at school who continue to tease or bully other kids.

I do not believe kids are inherently bullies; their life makes them that way. We know that low self-esteem makes bullies. I also know that parent's behavior is a huge predictor in whether they raise a bully or not. I am sure you too have seen this from personal interactions with parents and then meeting their children, and you know why they exhibit bullying behavior.

I recently saw this on a the back window of a SUV

"My student can make
your honor roll student TAP OUT
in less than 10 seconds"

I assume this is in response to the bumper stickers stating parents are proud of their honor role student? I also assume they feel bad that their kid isn't performing academically so they feel like this makes it better? I also assume they think that they are very funny.

I encourage you to send your child to school tomorrow in a pink shirt, talk to your kids about bullying, and most importantly, be the role model your kid needs