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.