So, as I'm in full holiday mode with all the shopping and parties...WHOOOMP! My kid decides he would like to be on Facebook. It's funny, this whole social media thing. I mean, I'm on it all the time for work. I post about my latest stories and funny stuff but now that my kid wants on.... WOW. … [Read more...]
Building a Bully
What makes a bully? A set of instructions is interspersed with writings of the victim in this unusual book on a hot topic. The Bully Book, by Eric Kahn Gale Harper, ISBN: 978 0 062 12513 2 Designed as a found notebook with two sets of pages intermingled, The Bully Book tells the story of a … [Read more...]
A Young Woman of Great Promise
Any parent of a daughter (and let's face it: parents of sons, too) should be justifiably frightened by the emerging details of the Rehtaeh Parsons case. Pretty much any of us can imagine it: a fifteen year-old girl goes to a high school party, maybe even her first big party. Some booze is passed … [Read more...]
The Friendship Show
There has been a huge Anti-Bullying movement sweeping the nation and it's obviously in response to the painful experiences so many kids and teens have been enduring. We talk about bullying, for sure, as it's become part of the dialogue our children are learning about in school, and I think it's … [Read more...]
SHIT – MY SON IS THE BULLY!
It's a known fact that two of my boys live daily with Asperger's and up until this point I have been very fortunate that we really haven't had any serious issues involving violence - until yesterday. Yes it was my turn to be mommy of the bully.Zachary has been wanting to learn / play tennis … [Read more...]
Sleuthing with Tongue in Ghostly Cheek
If you're named October and writing a horror novel while sitting in a graveyard... is it really that surprising when you end up hanging out with a bunch of ghosts? The Dead Kid Detective Agency by Evan Munday ECW Press ISBN: 978 1 550 22971 4 October Schwartz and her dad are new in … [Read more...]
Was I The Bully?
This post was inspired by the recent contribution by Sue about being bullied. I admire Sue's strength and perspective. What I know is that there is more to all of us than how we are perceived or treated by others.I feel nervous writing this post. I don't want to be judged or labeled or … [Read more...]
Thirteen Reasons To Read This Book
1. It's Called Thirteen Reasons Why. Does that title not intrigue? (It's by Jay Asher, and the ISBN is978 1 59514 188 0)2. It was one of last year's biggest, hottest, teen titles, and still going strong. 3. It's published (here) by Razorbill, a very cool teen imprint who has just launched an online … [Read more...]
Don’t try to Bully me
Four eyes! Fatso! Thunder Thighs! Giraffe! SLUT!!What do you think about these words? Did they affect you when you read them? Did you wince? I did. And, I heard them over and over all through my young life. These words, these epithets, are what I grew up hearing. They are the curses that slapped me … [Read more...]
Is Teasing Really Bullying?
I know that bullying is a very sensitive topic. I know that it is horrible and senseless and terrifying. I have no doubt about the fact that in many cases the experience of being bullied is life altering and, tragically in a few cases, life ending.I also realize that an attempt to be moderate on … [Read more...]