I typically plan for my column a few days before the official due date, but every once in awhile, something causes me to delay. Rather than refer to it as procrastination, I like to think of it as something better is on its way.
I sat at my desk for a few hours in the last couple of days, completing my assignments, yet still not able to finish the one piece of work that is entirely mine. That would be my column. I get free reign here, so you would think that would make it that much easier. It, in fact, makes it much more difficult. I feel a real sense of responsibility sending out messages that may, at times, be slightly controversial, but spark conversations - and in the end, leave everyone involved feeling positive about the message sent.
Life seems like it should be black and white, but as I get older I have definitely noticed there is a grey area in between. Not everything is as cut and dried as we like to make it seem. One of these issues is bullying. It's a subject of extreme sensitivity and importance - one that I feel as parents we don't talk enough about.
Sure, we get defensive when someone approaches us about our little Johnny and on the attack when we feel our little Johnny is being bullied, but real serious conversations are simply not happening. Technology has made it increasingly easier for bullies. No longer do you have to have the physical strength to throw someone in the locker. Now, at the click of a button, cruel remarks and nasty comments can be sent, sometimes without any signature attached. It is a dangerous territory for our children.
The old saying of “sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me” is simply untrue. The power of a word is not seen with your eyes but nevertheless can do damage to another’s self worth. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or other social media sites are not "bad". It's how we use them that is. Bullying has always been and will continue to be until as parents, we teach our children that bullying is not acceptable. Not only is it not acceptable but when bullying happens, it has far more to do with them than the other person. So as parents, when we get the call that our child has been the "bully" (and every child will be at some time) it's our job to dig deep. The real reason any child feels the right or need to lash out at someone else is not in the words that they put on another person’s Facebook or Twitter page, it's because of the words they don't have to really express and understand how they are feeling.
Words have power, choose them wisely.
