Dear Readers...
Our family started being impacted by bullies about 10 months ago. I say family because bullying goes further than the victim, it reaches the family as a whole.
Cristian(14) is a tall, strong boy and he’s outgoing and social. I don’t know how he fell victim to bullying but he did. As it progressed we had numerous meetings with the school and ‘Zero Tolerance’ did not get enforced as stated in all prospectuses and newsletters, despite the same group being hauled in to the head master on numerous occasions.
Day after day, week after week, I would send Cristian off to school with dread in my heart for what he had to deal with. The final straw came when he came home from soccer training two hours late... looking ashen he crawled into bed, broke down and told me that he had been sitting on the side of a busy road considering throwing himself in front of a car. That was it for me, enough was enough! I withdrew him immediately, mid term, mid year 9. It was a huge step and a leap of faith to move him but I came to the conclusion that some battles simply are not worth fighting, the stakes are too high.
I thought he would find the move difficult, but when I told him I literally saw his shoulders drop, the relief was visible. He loves his new school, can’t wait to rush out the door in the morning and comes home with tales of mischief and joy, he’s a new child... a happy child.
This weeks bullying issue eNews has contributions from parenting experts, teachers and parents to help you identify what is and what is not bullying and what to do if it happens to your child. My advise if your child does become a victim of bullying is follow protocol and be co-operative and patient with your school. Dealing with bullying takes time and it may settle down, but if it doesn’t, follow your intuition - you will know what’s best for your child.
|
