There is a video that has gone viral which shows a young man taking a stand against a bully and fighting back. The young man has been labelled a hero and a poster child for bullied children everywhere. Much has been said about sensationalising bullying because this footage has been played over and over again. For me, as a parent, I believe the young man is a hero because, when all was said and done, he walked away. He stood there and took the bullying, snapped, gave as good as he got but then he walked away. He could have beaten his bully to within an inch of his life but he didn't.
I found myself on the other side of the coin on Friday when my husband rang me at our shop to inform me that Conor wanted to tell me something. Slightly bemused, I tried to speak to a little boy who could only say "whennoehrjhokdlkfee....uh uh uh". "I don't understand you", I replied. This was followed by another senence of gobbledygook followed by the word "bully". "You've been bullied at school?" I said into the phone....and this little voice, full of tears whispered, "No, I bullied Jack and made him cry and I bullied A- as well...." He subsided into wails of despair. I counted to three, pulled much air into my lungs and roared,"You did WHAT!"
I don't tolerate bullying. I was a bullied child and I... DO... NOT... TOLERATE... IT... IN... MY... HOME! All of my kids know this.
When I got home, Conor showed me a letter his teacher made him write to apologise to me for being a bully. I decided then and there that it simply wasn't enough. It was time to show my school how bullies should be dealt with. I got down on his level, looked him in the eye and told him exactly how I felt about him, about bullying and I finished with "I love you very much but right now, I don't want to be your friend."
Monday morning rolled around and he was marched up to the school, he was made to stand in front of his class and apologise to Jack, to his other victim even though she wasn't there, to his class and to apologise for not being safe, being responsible or being respectful. I spoke to the students and asked them if they could help Conor to not be a bully to the other students because it is not allowed in my home. And I asked Jack if he accepted Conors apology.
Of course, it would have made more impact if His Nibs didn't have a big shit-eating grin on his face at the time BUT I made my point to him. And besides, I made him cry first....(gr)
And this is how I feel parents should deal with bullying. DON'T accept it as a normal part of growing up, don't expect it to make your child stronger, don't think it fantastic that you have the toughtest kid in the school. And most importantly, don't be afraid to haul your little rotter up in front of the school and make him apologise. Bullying can scar kids for life, it affects how they interact with others and it can affect their ability to make longterm relationships in the future. Stand up for your child if he is being bullied but also stand beside him if he is a bully and make him stop! Its what all good parents do...I know because I did!
Yes, my delicious little man, I will be your valentine! 
Caitie and I had a girls night in where I cut her a fringe (looks awesome) and we did facials and makeovers. She had her piccie taken with Nightclub style makeup on. Yes, she is 12 but I am teaching her how to wear makeup responsibly and she likes to look girly now and then. I told her to pout LOL, she took me literally. She isn't a fan of heavy makeup and thinks the girls who wear heavy eyeliner to school look daft. Around a month ago our very much loved Devon X Mask slipped out the back door and took off. Tony and Caitie spent ages trying to find him with no luck. We looked for him everywhere and I called and called. We kept an eye on the local pounds all to no avail. Four weeks later I was calling my chickens in for some food when I heard a tiny little Miaow. I kept repeating the call until finally, around the corner of the neighbours shed, came Mask. He weighed nothing, he was all bones and ribs, no muscle. Very weak and sad but very glad to have come home. For a very big cat, there was nothing of him. 
He is home and we are happy. He has taken to sleeping wrapped around Caitie's head at night. Yes, my 12 year old still sucks her thumb *sigh* He has put on weight, has a long way to go but is feeling fine and frisky. 
You know, I am convinced all the weird stuff in life happens to us! Coming home from buying chinese takeaway with a friend, we were both startled to see a duckling run across the road. We put on the brakes and both dashed out to see if we could find him. This involved us introducing ourselves to the owners of the home whose yard he had run into. Picture THAT conversation... Hi...we're not crazy, you have a duckling under your house! So, I took said duckling home for the night ready to find him a home the next day. Imagine my suprise when we discovered this the next morning! 
One of the neighbours ducks, who had got away, heard the baby and figured she would wait outside and see if he would come out. She flew away soon after I took this pic. We found a home for the duckling by the way. I don't like ducks much, they eat and poop, thats it. 
Conor had a birthday at the beginning of the year and I just had to share this gorgeous photo with y'all. Check out those freckles! 
And finally, Titch hasn't popped yet. Here she is two days ago looking rather rotund. I don't think her nipples could get any pinker. Happy Autumn everyone. We had a bried spell of Indian Summer but Autumn has crept up on us with soft evenings, crisp mornings and cups of tea. I love this time of year. 
