Bullied!

Maybe at one point we either are the bullies or the bullied.

Oh man, I have quite a few experience on this. My sister would even remind me that I had a miserable childhood (which actually is not true). It just so happened that my experiences belong to the "stories-to-reminisce" category.

The most note-worthy is that when I was in second grade. I have mixed memories of second grade. I was top of the class. I have a great homeroom teacher. And I had a bully for a classmate. I sometimes wonder why I remember this clearly. It's paranoia to analyze if this affects me in any way growing up. Well, psychology is not best done on yourself. So going back... This bully classmate would always follow me in the comfort room and ask for my food money. At some point I don't know how I was bullied to give more. Thus I ask my mama to give me more money for baon. Which obviously led to the discovery of my dilema. Upon knowing about it, of course my mom told my adviser and then there were a lot of interviews. They schemed a plan to bait the bully by making me give her "signed" bills. (This I find funny now, 1. you're actually not allowed to write on bills 2. my mom actually signed it with her actual signature.) The dark secret was discovered and the rest of the story I knew nothing about. First and foremost the bully definitely was not a friend, a classmate though, I think, I can't remember now. Actually I can't remember any friends from second grade, I might have been that miserable! Growing up I had no reason to socialize with the said bully so I forgot about her, name and all. I probably had good counseling from my mom, my teacher and the school counselor. I want to believe I grew up okay.

So what good thing can I share about my experience?
1) Parents and teachers are definitely the key in spotting abnormal child behavior. It's always best to know your child. What she feels, what's odd about her or general inconsistencies in behavior.
2) Adults should deal with bullies, they know better.
3) Friends are important
4)* Since it stayed in my memory, bullying affects a child. The key is to ensure that she moves positively forward from the experience.
5) Bullying is a sad reality but it happens. It either builds character or breaks the spirit. So I believe awareness that it is not right is actually really important.

* How did I recover from experience you might ask?
I actually don't know. As a result of my good grades from second grade, ironically, I was top section on third grade. I remember having friends this point on, though now I have a bully for a teacher. Haha. I think I was never classmate with the bully person ever again. And my experience was never sensationalized, except by my mother. Lols. I had a better adolescent life. Looking back, the experience probably pushed me to do good in school. I am glad it had a positive effect on me. But also I credit it to friends I had since then. I am lucky too to have good friends.

I am glad that bullying is given limelight at this day and age. Maybe because cyber bullying (which is as harsh) is another facade of the problem. So stop the bullies and the bullied. Stand-up for yourself.

...and have friends.