A piece by Sarah from @the.toughest.gig on School Bullying… 

Oh the joys of your baby starting big school. They come home learning to read and write and a hole new level of attitude, always wanting money for the canteen and birthday parties!

But the one thing you hope they don’t come home talking about, is being called names and being picked on. I know they are kids and are only young but it doesn’t matter what age we are. No one likes being called names. At the moment its nothing major. Just little things like what kind of shoes she has or that she is a baby because she has not lost any teeth yet and the one that has upset her the most is that this kid doesn’t even care about her mum…which I think is a little funny but Abigail does not.

Each of these circumstances have been brought to the teachers attention but I have told Abigail if it happens again to use her big cranky voice and tell the child to spot and that she doesn’t like it. Of course Abigail’s first concern is getting in trouble and still wanting to be kind to this other child. I have told her she just has to explain her self to the teacher. I also pointed out that this other child isn’t being the kindest to her and its okay to get a little cranky and stick up for your self. It breaks my heart so much this is starting already.

I just have a giant worry that this is only the beginning and I am really hope that this isn’t going to carry on through the years. Abigail is the type of person who feels every emotion 110% so you could imagine how heart broken she is right now.

I honestly don’t understand how 5-6 year olds already know how to be mean. I know for me ever since Abigail could understand about being nice,I have drummed it into her to always try her best to be kind to everyone. Now I don’t think it is a hard thing to teach. especially these days when we have 12 year old taking their own lives because they are so depressed from other children’s unkind words!

I am writing this because we all need a little bit of a reminder that kids can be mean. Please remember children are always watching us and the people around them. We need to practice what we preach. I know I try my best to be kind and I know we aren’t kind to everyone all the time because not everyone gets along. But don’t go out of your way to intentionally hurt someone. Like I always say, you never know what other people are going through and as I am writing this I am realizing something. I don’t know what the kid that is picking on Abigail is going through. The kid may have lost a loved one, there parents could be fighting or splitting up, a pet died or this kid is just struggling with big school. I understand we need kids to be kids but not when it means feelings are getting hurt.

Just remember kindness, respect and empathy is what we need more of in this world.

Keep it kind!

Love Sarah xx