Bullying Has Consequences- Sometimes Tragic Ones

This is such a tragic story. One that I just don't understand from either perspective. Today, I came across an article about a young 15 year old girl who committed suicide as the result of constant and persistent bullying at school. Nine students involved in the bullying were indicted on several disturbing counts including assault with a dangerous weapon and statutory rape.

My heart aches so much for this little girl and her parents. As a mother myself, and as a former bullied student, I can say that communication is imperative. I don't know the situation surrounding her relationship with her parents or loved ones, but I just can't help but to think (or hope) that if she talked with someone, this may have ended differently. I'm sure we all know now that high school seems like the peek of your life, if this time in your life is miserable, what's the point. If you're a loser now, you'll always be a loser.

Teenagers don't realize it's the very opposite. High school doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that you finished it. My senior year of high school, one of my classmates committed suicide. I didn't know him very well. I had one class with him sophomore year and thought he was nice, quiet. Rumor had it that he was bullied and sick of being picked on and made fun of. The thing is, I never even noticed anyone picking on him or taunting him so horribly that he'd end his own life. So all in all, I don't know if it was just a rumor, or a reality, but I do know that maybe I would have payed more attention if I knew things like this actually happen in high school.

So now I plead for you to give your child a hug and let them know that they are loved unconditionally. No matter what anyone says, thinks, or does, you will always love them and would do anything for them.

Wordless Wednesday: Mommy and Me

This is one of my favorite pics of me and my little guy!

A Boy and His Balls

Just a short anecdote about boys and their balls...

My 15 month old's new favorite toy and favorite new word is "ball." He always wants to play with his ball. In the store, in the car, and tonight at dinner he wanted to play with his ball. At dinner he incessantly demanded to play with his ball while flinging peas and meatloaf across the dining room.

After many attempts at "No, eat your veggies," he continued to say, "ball!" Being the mediating mother that I am, I said "you can play with your ball after you eat your vegetables like a good boy."

That was it, he happily scarfed down the remaining veggies and eagerly awaited his play time.

The moral of the story: Even from 15 months, men will agree to do just about anything if they can play with their ball(s).

100% Colombian Coffee

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What is the Ideal Age to Have a Baby?

An awesome survey was conducted by ForbesWoman and TheBump.com to find out what women feel is the ideal age for having children. At 24, I certainly was viewed as being "really young" when I gave birth to my first child. But was I? 59% of the survey respondents who had children after 35 wish they had been younger. 

Designated 'Hitter'

My 15 month old son has adopted the ever-irritating habit of hitting. He winds up, looks you in the eye, and boom! Smacked right on the face, arm, leg, or whatever is closest. After the initial swat, he keeps going. He don't hit, the baby sitter doesn't hit, and I'm not sure where this behavior came from. And for whatever reason, I (his mother of all people) am the only one he hits. Luckily, he hasn't been hitting anyone at the sitter so I don't have to deal with that yet.

I thought the was just trying out his new-found skill, not realizing it hurts people. So the first few times, I would make a big dramatic scene and say "Ouch!" which was followed by fake crying and exaggerated sad faces. My dramatic performance did demonstrate that this hitting, indeed hurt someone. He'd bury his face in my side and look up at me, sweetly saying, "Hi." This was his way of saying, "sorry Mom!"

The next day, we go through this charade again. And the next day. And the next day after that. After a few days, I resort to, "No, that hurts!" This has the same result.

I don't want my kid to be the 'hitter' unless they're talking about his baseball skills. At 15 months, I thought it'd be a while before I had to deal with behavioral issues. Has anyone else had an experience like this? How did you get through it?