If a Child...

What a great poem this is!

• If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn
• If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight
• If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy
• If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty
• If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient
• If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident
• If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate
• If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice
• If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith
• If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself
• If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

They Grow Up So Fast

I look at my little mister, growing up so fast.

He looks like such a boy now, not the little baby that he used to be.

I'm so proud of him, I love him and adore him.

I want to be the best mom that I can be for him and to give him the best that I can.

I want to make the best of all of these years that I have him.

I hope to raise and guide him with as much love and care as possible.

Not to miss any opportunities.

Or miss any great moments.

I want to give him the very best and raise him to be his very best.

I have so many hopes and dreams for him, yet I want him to have his own hopes and dreams to follow.

This morning I saw an incredibly moving and sweet video about growing up. It was very touching, it will move your heart.

Do watch it, you will be glad that you did...

http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--217226253

The Bullying Experience

I'm so saddened to hear of school bullying related suicides so often!

Just today I read this article where four kids committed suicide due to bullying in one town!

In the last month I've heard of others, it seems to be weekly.

There is clearly a real problem going on.

Even though I am homeschooling I am very passionate about doing something about this. 

Bullying is one reason that I chose this route for my children. I have been out of public school for fifteen years but I remember clearly the bullying that I experienced starting in the 5th grade.

I also went to one of the more affluent public school districts in my state at the time where kids of divorce were the exception.

I remember how it made me feel...


When I experienced bullying, I felt:
  • Powerless
  • Helpless
  • Two inches tall
  • Completely alone
  • Worthless
  • Unloved
  • Unlovable
  • Abused
  • Ridiculed
  • Broken
  • Humiliated
  • More...
It was a horrible way for me to feel as a child as a 5th and 6th grader. I didn't even have the vocabulary to express the above words that I just used. I just felt them and didn't feel like I could tell anyone about it. I was too humiliated to even admit any of this, and I was the victim.

How many kids today are living the same life at school?

Bullying is abuse by peers. Pure and simple. It is not a rite of passage, it is not a "normal" stage of childhood to endure, it is not there to toughen kids up!! It is abuse! It has nothing to do with socialization at all.

Children should not have to feel that way when they go to school. Children should feel safe, they should be there to learn.

If it was normal, would it drive kids to suicide at alarming rates??? NO!!

Something needs to be done. Sooner than later. Our nation's kids deserve much better.

(Image Credit)