My oldest son is getting a dose of the ugly world we live in and it hurts. Within the last month my son has been bullied two times. This is something that he has never experienced before. I thought one of the benefits of homeschooling was to protect my children from such ugliness but being homeschooled doesn’t mean it cannot still happen.
I think as a parent I was naive that my children were safe from bullying, thinking it wouldn’t happen in our activities but it has. Yesterday an older child told my 8-year-old son that she hated him and that he is weird. This is a child we do not even know. Hate — this is a word we do not use in our home, such a powerful word and for someone to tell another child that is really hurtful. What damage this does to any child.
As a parent what do I do? First and foremost is to speak with your child. My son was hurt and was almost in tears. As his mom it’s my duty to console him. I reassured him that he is loved. Not only does our family love him but he is loved by God. God thinks he’s special. He is special because he was made by God.
Psalm 139:17-18 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them, Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I am awake, I am still with you.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.
It is important as parents we make our children feel special and loved.
Next do not over react! I am glad my son told me these things that were said to him after he left the area it happened because I can over react. Work it out with the parent or teacher where the bullying took place. We all have bad days and unfortunately we all say things that are ugly at times so as a parent I have to remind my children of that. Thankfully my son knows not to repay evil for evil and we walked away both times.
So now what? Remind my son that we are to forgive and we pray for those children that said hurtful things. Let God work in the hearts of the children that hurt my son and pray for my son that God comforts him.
As parents we can protect our children as much as possible but unfortunately there are children out there that will bully our children so as parents we need to pray for our children before being around other children. Remind our children of the grace that Christ has given us and how we need to extend it to those that cause affliction on us. Being a parent has its obstacles but if we teach our children how to react it will make a world of difference!
This was great of you to spread the word. As a parent, I would feel awful if my child was bullied or if he bullied anyone else.
Lovely piece.
If I may add my own thought: When children know they are loved they have more confidence to not fall for the lies the bullies dish out.
Walking away is the best often.
This is one of my biggest concerns as a parent – I think you handled this so well. Thanks for sharing!
It’s difficult when your child gets bullied. But the most important thing is like you said, to help counter that bullying with letting them know they are loved and very valuable. If it is a situation where your child will frequently be in the same situation, then it also needs to be addressed with those in charge in the situation so that your child doesn’t have to keep going through it day by day by day.
I’m so sorry that your child is going through this situation. But I can read through your words that you are a very strong family with deepl-rooted values. I’m sure this will soon only be a bad experience.
It sounds like you are handling this well. I cannot even imagine my own child being bullied, it would break my heart. As a teacher, I have seen how cruel children can be. Supporting your son and taking action are definitely essential!
We just experienced this as well, and it was our first time. It comes with this age group and it is very sad. This is why it is soooo important to do the things you said, and to raise our children with a biblical view. To stop where you are, and to pray for the child and for our hearts. Great piece.
My daughter came home yesterday telling me that a little girl was bullying her. It makes me so sad! Bullying starts at an early age! She is only 7 and in the 2nd grade!
Thanks for sharing your son’s story – it is so important that we talk with our children about being bullied and being bullies. Teaching them what is right!
Bulling is such a terrible thing, I am so glad so many people are standing up to bullies these days. Stand up to them and they will go away!
What I love the best about my son’s school is that the entire school K-8 participate in a Christian-based anti-bullying program called Peace Builders. When there is behavior the teachers or I do not like at home we are encouraged to ask them if that is something Jesus’ would do or say. It really gets them thinking. Also the entire school recites the Peace Builders prayer every morning during announcements and signs are all of the school promoting “Peace Builders”.