What do you think?

 

When is bullying, not bullying? When the Principal of your 5th grade daughter's elementary school tells you it's not. Pardon me, I have to respectfully disagree. I know the 'tween' years are difficult; for students, parents, teachers and school administrators alike. There has got to be a unified effort between home and school.

 

When a student has been repeatedly excluded, verbally put down and purposely left out of recess/classroom groups for three years, it's bullying. The offending student has gone so far as telling other classmates and students to not be friends with the other student. Notes get passed around the classroom, by the offending student, with statements like: you don't deserve her as a friend, she's not good enough of a friend for you. Is this physical bullying? No. Is this verbal bullying? Is this social bullying? Yes! In my opinion, and based on what I've read and heard - this is bullying.

 

 

As parents, we support our kids. We advocate for our kids. We dry their tears and we calm their fears. We are their greatest cheerleaders. And for many, teachers and administrators are too.

But today, I feel my daughter's Principal got it wrong. He decided that the actions of the offending student is not considered bullying. My question is this then: what is bullying?

 

I know we've all heard a story, read a newspaper, or watched a news anchor tell a story about bullying and what it is and what it isn't. If there is ever a question whether or not you or someone you know is being bullied, go to this website: http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/ to learn more.

 

 

Gratitude

Be thankful! ... there are times when those two words have left me completely un-done; tear streaked, red-faced and sobbing on the floor. Hallelujah! I've got much to be thankful for.  As well, there are times when I find it extremely difficult to be thankful; death of a loved one, loss of a job, and a myriad other scenarios. 
I am not normally one to make resolutions when the New Year is upon us.  And this year is no different. Yes, I do need to eat more healthfully, exercise more and get more rest on a consistent basis. And I will do my very best to do all of those things.  But more than any of those, I want to live a life of more....more gratitude. 

My husband and kids got to sleep in today and spend the day snuggling and watching movies. I, on the other hand, woke up and went to work.  Waking up when it is still dark and cold (below zero) outside is hard. I could have complained about it, but I'd rather be thankful.  I've got a job. I like it. I work with some pretty amazing folks.

We've grown out of our house.  Too much 'stuff' in a 'not big enough' space.  I'm choosing to look at this way - - we have a home that we can afford. We are warm and dry. We are not homeless.  We need to re-home some of the unnecessary 'stuff' and our home will have adequate space once again.

I am going to take it one day at a time and live a life of more...more gratitude.  I'm thankful for all that God has given me, but I'm also thankful for all that God has not given me.

Happy New Year!  2015 will be amazing.

Merry Christmas

May all of my family and friends, near and far, know how much I love them.  Merry Christmas to all!

changes

Have I really been so busy that I haven't had time to post? Yes! Since my last post in January, one of my daughters broke her collar bone, my mom moved, I changed jobs, and my son had open heart surgery.  Whew! 
I can say with certainty, I'm glad all of it is behind me.  I can also say, with certainty, that I handled my anxiety pretty well.  Could have handled it better, but it could have been much worse. 
I'm trying to look at things, all things, from a positive point of view rather than being negative. 
I've seen this saying over and over again and reading it this time, it really made an impact.

I've got to do this! I want to change my life in a positive way; it's in my control. Let's do this. 

Reflection

Everyone needs time to reflect now and then. That doesn't mean we should agonize or overthink what has already come to pass.
Reflection, perhaps, serves as a reminder of how much progress we've made toward a goal. Or perhaps reflection keeps us from repeating a mistake we've already made, and hopefully learned from. As well, reflection can help motivate us; to act, to learn, to be.
Over the past couple days, as I've recovered from very minor surgery, I've had ample time to reflect. Yes, I've made progress and mistakes. And now, I'm motivated...to continue toward my goals, to set new goals, to pay it forward.
Reflection can produce different feelings for everyone. Hopefully, for you, those feelings are positive.

Where will your moments of reflection take you?