POSTS WITH TAG: bullies

Big Kid Heartbreaking

Tragic Death of Bullied 7-Year-Old Leaves All Moms Feeling Helpless

Posted by Kiri Blakeley
on May 25, 2012 at 12:09 PM

No mother wants to ever have to fathom her child committing suicide, but when that child is a mere baby, it dwells in the realm of horrifically, mind-bogglingly tragic. A 7-year-old boy in Detroit was found hanging by a belt from a bunkbed in the home he shared with his mother and sisters. Doubly tragic, it was his 14-year-old sister who discovered him. Police say that the boy had previously expressed a desire to harm himself, and had been depressed about being bullied at school, his parents' recent separation, and being the only boy in a large family of sisters. Police do not suspect any foul play.

Ironically, his mother was trying to help him, and had last seen him alive when she went to go visit their pastor to discuss his depression.

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Teen Say What!?

Teenager's Anti-Bullying Project Gets Her Suspended From School (VIDEO)

Posted by Jeanne Sager
on May 24, 2012 at 2:32 PM

anti-bullying videoAttention America. Our schools are under attack. Everywhere you look, there are kids who are trying to fight the scourge of bullying. Wait, what? I have that one backward? The bullies are the problem?

Huh. Then can someone please explain to me why a 15-year-old girl on Long Island just got suspended for creating a video to fight bullying in her school? I would think Jessica Barba would be getting her back slapped by school administrators and her face on a Wheaties box.

But nope, the school decided Jessica's video was a problem because it "created a disturbance." Oh no, not a disturbance!

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Teen OMG

Teen Twitter Fights Are Making Kids Famous in All the Wrong Ways

Posted by Janelle Harris
on May 16, 2012 at 9:00 PM

Teens, TwitterIf you ever browsed World Star Hip-Hop, you would really think our youth are on the fast track to self-destruction. It is depravity on display, to the point that I’m not so sure some folks don’t act a fool just so they can have their video clips featured on the site. But sometimes, it really captures trending behavior that’s both outrageous and appalling. And these doggone Twitter beefs are probably the most troubling. 

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Baby

Life Advice for My Daughter ... And Myself

Posted by Joanna Montgomery
on May 16, 2012 at 9:03 AM

baby and grandma

My husband and I recently visited the Montessori school our little girl will be attending after she reaches her 6-month birthday. And even though the environment was lovely and peaceful and joyous, I couldn't stop my mind from wandering to those early "first day of school" moments in my life. The little kid anxiety associated with starting a new school, meeting new people, and hoping to make friends and fit in.

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Big Kid Inspiring

A Letter from the Mom of That Autistic Boy Your Kid Played With at the Playground (VIDEO)

Posted by The Stir Bloggers
on May 15, 2012 at 10:56 AM
A Mom's Life, Uncensored

LeoShannon Des Roches Rosa goes by Squid Rosenberg in the interwebs, where she writes about being a mom to three -- including Leo, who has autism. Her blog, Squidalicious, is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. We love her so much, we know you will too.

To help us celebrate Mother's Day, here is one of her magical mom moments: when her son on the spectrum was just like everyone else's kid playing in the local park:

Leo has socializing opportunities aplenty -- around town, with all the people and kids who come to visit and swim and cook with us, during excursions. But those interactions are all heavily managed, to help him avoid sensory overstimulation, and so he won't pull a frustrated HULK SMASH on me, his sisters, or unsuspecting passersby. It breaks my heart to write this, but: he is not a free-range boy, not in scenarios where other children are running wild. It's too risky.

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Big Kid Mom Moment

Your Kid Might Be a Psychopath -- But It's Not Your Fault

Posted by Kiri Blakeley
on May 14, 2012 at 11:31 AM

If you're pregnant and read the recent New York Times article about young psychopaths, you probably looked down at your belly and said, "Don't you DARE turn out to be like that!" The piece -- which followed a 9-year-old "psychopath" named Michael -- was absolutely chilling. It asked the question, can young kids really be psychopaths? Can they have no feelings for others, can they be manipulative, can they hate with the venom of an adult? After reading it, I'd have to say the answer to all of that is yes. 

And this is a good thing. Not good that it occurs, but good that people are finally considering the notion that very young children, even children as young as 3 (when Michael began his behavior), can be psychopaths due to genetic and neurological factors. Because for eons bad behavior in children has been blamed on two things: The devil or Mom. And since most of us don't believe the devil possesses children anymore, that leaves Mom.

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Big Kid Inspiring

Hillary Clinton Gives Bullies an Overdue Smackdown (VIDEO)

Posted by Julie Ryan Evans
on May 8, 2012 at 9:05 PM

Hillary ClintonSecretary of State Hillary Clinton recently released a new public service announcement on the topic of bullying. In it, there are no flashy bells and whistles or clever gimmicks, rather she just delivers a simple and powerful message against bullying in a way few before have done so.

She talks about how important it is for a society to embrace all people. "Strong societies draw strength from the talents of women, people with disabilities, religious minorities, LGBT people and those of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds," she says. She talks about how everyone can contribute to building tolerance, and then -- just when you're starting to get a little bored with the same old message we've heard before -- she turns things up a notch and speaks directly  to the bullies.

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Teen Mom Moment

Prom Queen With Down Syndrome Makes Anything Feel Possible

Posted by Jeanne Sager
on May 3, 2012 at 2:55 PM

tiaraIf the words "prom queen" bring to mind a cheerleader with perfect teeth and perfect hair, get ready to adjust your perceptions. Carolann Nunez is the prom queen at Americas High School in Texas. And Carolann also happens to have Down syndrome.

It's the kind of story that leaves a dopey grin on my face. I'm happy for this kid and her personal triumph. But I'd be lying if I didn't say there wasn't some selfish part of me that sees Carolann's crowning as a sign of something bigger.

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Big Kid Heartbreaking

Dad's Horrifying Undercover Recordings Catch Teachers Bullying His Autistic Son (VIDEO)

Posted by Julie Ryan Evans
on Apr 24, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Moms Speak: A Guide to Autism

Stuart ChaifetzStuart Chaifetz said he knew something was wrong when his 10-year-old son Akian started acting out school. Akian has autism, but had always been "sweet and non-violent." So when things took a turn, his dad said he wanted to find out why.

When meetings with school officials at his Cherry Hill, N.J., school and therapists failed, he took action into his own hands. He wired Aikan and sent him to school. The six hours of audio he recorded confirmed his worst fears.  

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Teen Inspiring

'Day of Silence' Shuts Kids Up for a Great Cause

Posted by Jeanne Sager
on Apr 20, 2012 at 1:21 PM

day of silenceHave a teenager who refused to talk to you this morning? Stop freaking. Just because it's 4/20 day doesn't mean they took a few bong hits before school. LGBT activists have co-opted the official holiday of pot smokers for a greater cause: the National Day of Silence.

While their peers are getting baked, teenagers who have sealed their lips for the day are fighting discrimination against LGBT kids around the world. The goal is to create "safer" schools for all kids, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. I don't know about you, but I'm thinking that's a lot more worthwhile than hitting the weed today.

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