There has always been bullying amongst children, it is nothing new.

As a child from a single parent family in the 1960's I was different from all my peers...... divorce was a rare happening and I was the only person in my school without two parents. Add to that the fact that we didn't have very much money and so I couldn't wear clothes that were fashionable and there was no school uniform to even out the situation. All these things made me the target of bullying throughout my school life but nothing was said about it in those days so we suffered in silence.

Nowadays, we are all encouraged to talk about such things and to rightly make a fuss about them but is there really more bullying happening today? I don't think that there is.

Fat kids have always been picked on, children with specs have always been 'four eyes' etc etc.

What do you think?

Oh yes

After taking my daughter into school this morning I went to the deputy head and informed on one y6 year old girl that I saw bullying another on Friday night.

Bullying is right there ever day in every way of life, I know only to well from, son who was bullied at school in y3 and questioned why he was alive, to my son bullied last year in the army and on anti-depressents to adults bullied at work.

I wrote an article that never got published about bullying, unless teachers and heads make a stand and deal with it. it will just get worse. They think it`s fine to say they have an anti-bullying policy but unless they enforce it bullies will just get away with it.
My daughter was hit in the face, school dealt with it with a day and a half exclusion, we dealt with it through the police and now the boy is a class representative for the school council. Some justice.

I have no faith in schools, or the education department to sort anyhting out in relation to bullying.

My view here may sound a little controversial, but it's my opinion.

When I was at school, in year 7, I was bullied along with many other year 7s.

Yes yes it was all bad, but it taught us some respect and understanding of hierachy in schools.

When Mr Bird came to Bradfield he took many steps to outlaw bullying, but now he faces a problem of youngsters who have no respect whatsoever for authority.

Originally posted by ianmitchell
My view here may sound a little controversial, but it's my opinion.

When I was at school, in year 7, I was bullied along with many other year 7s.

Yes yes it was all bad, but it taught us some respect and understanding of hierachy in schools.

When Mr Bird came to Bradfield he took many steps to outlaw bullying, but now he faces a problem of youngsters who have no respect whatsoever for authority.

I agree, bullying is just a part of normal growing-up, if you get tough to it while you are at school you won't stand for it when you start work/begin a relationship.

I agree, bullying is just a part of normal growing-up, if you get tough to it while you are at school you won't stand for it when you start work/begin a relationship.
Do not accept bulling as part of growing up.
The only people that think it`s ok, might as well be bullies themselves. :mad:

I don`t agree with nick2 and ianmitchell, what kind of bullying do you think goes on these days believe me it is not what is used to be, knives etc are used to bully.

I was bullied at school not to this extent, yes it made me stronger, it made my son strong but it also took away his junior years and put them in fear.

Do either of you have children now at school, or young adults. My son was in the army in Iraq and bullied, is that ok then for his so called collegues to put the fear of god in him, do unspeakble things to him while he tries to do his job. Is that going to make him strong and give him respect.

Respect what respect have those that are bullied got for themselves at the end of the day, not a lot.

Tell the parents of children who have hanged themselves that bullying is ok

Originally posted by saxon76tr
Do not accept bulling as part of growing up.
The only people that think it`s ok, might as well be bullies themselves. :mad:


No if you think about it, when kids from Junior school come to Secondary school and get bullied they learn some respect.

I certainly did and it taught me not to mess with anyone. I am a better person for it and I tend avoid confrontation whenever I can.

Sure I hated been bullied at the time and at other times, when I got a bit taller, I stood up for myself but I know that my school (Bradfield) was a better place at the time.

I accepted bullying as part of life and I am certainly not a bully thank you.

What I'm saying is that it's part of life, even when you are an adult there are people who will try to assert their authority by bullying you (your boss, your wife/husband, your footy team captain, the prime minister), thats how people are, there are people who got where they are now not by being nice, but by being a bully.

Originally posted by saxon76tr
Tell the parents of children who have hanged themselves that bullying is ok

That is sad, but I would say that was a result of bullying to the extreme.

Bullying should be something that kids can learn to rise above it. It shows they have better character than the bullies.

If I ever have kids that is what I'll teach them. My mum tried to tell me the above but during my early teens I ignored her. :huh:

even when you are an adult there are people who will try to assert their authority by bullying you (your boss, your wife/husband, your footy team captain

There is a difference between being placed in authority and getting authority with a fist nick

I can`t believe you two on here. God forbid anyone that has lost someone through bullying that reads your posts.

Did you answer my question do you have children then if not how dare you say bullying is part of life and you learn respect from it.

I would seriously like to tell you things that my son`s had done to them being bullied and for you to say to them it`s all part of life.

I cannot believe there are people like you that condones bullying you take my breath away. I am so angry at what you have said.
No wonder these that bully love people like you and can get away with murder.

You seem to think I'm condoning it, which I'm not.
What I'm saying is it's a part of life, it's not nice, but a lot of things arn't.

your right some things arn`t nice so lets try and change them.

I don`t often get angry on here but when it happens to your children it makes you think long and hard about your actions and how they affect others.

Bullying is not part of life, if your child hung themselves because of being bullied would you still say it`s part of life and growing up.

Well said Rosie.
While i respect the views of Nick and Ian (after all it is a forum)
My son of 13 years is being bullied at the moment so i might be a little bias. I hope i dont have to cut him down off some tree lads

Originally posted by rosie
I can`t believe you two on here. God forbid anyone that has lost someone through bullying that reads your posts.

Did you answer my question do you have children then if not how dare you say bullying is part of life and you learn respect from it.

I would seriously like to tell you things that my son`s had done to them being bullied and for you to say to them it`s all part of life.

I cannot believe there are people like you that condones bullying you take my breath away. I am so angry at what you have said. No wonder these that bully love people like you and can get away with murder.

Excuse me?!?!?!?!

Is it my fault that people have lost someone through bullying?!??!

No I do not have children, I am 17 and I left school last year as a better person because I learnt respect in the sense of authority.

I was always upset when I came home from school and there was times when I came home when I just sat in my room not talking to anyone.

Bullying is a bad thing I hated it. I was frequently called "gay" and "queer" etc. etc.

I certainly do not condone bullying, I support schools and teachers teaching their sons/daughters/pupils how to rise above the ******** instead of outlawing bullying altogther.

I'm sorry but bullying is part of life. It's something you have to deal with! Bullying was in place in schools long before you were around Rosie and it will be around long after.

Bullies like people like me?!?! What exactly do you mean people like you?

Originally posted by saxon76tr
Well said Rosie.
While i respect the views of Nick and Ian (after all it is a forum)
My son of 13 years is being bullied at the moment so i might be a little bias. I hope i dont have to cut him down off some tree lads

I sincerly hope that won't happen.

But wrapping him in cotton wool (not saying that you are) by outlawing bullying won't prepare him for later life.

Not lecturing you on parenting (what the hell do I know about parenting, I'm 17 :P), but if he learns to rise above them he will be a better person.

From whats been said so far, I'll accept that the nature of bullying has changed ie now much more violent than it used to be. Isn't that just a true reflection of society as a whole? That too is becoming much more violent even down to the 'soaps' on tv.

How can schools be expected to cure bullying? Surely parents should be held more responsible for the actions of their kids. Perhaps if they were fined or issued with a spot of community service each time their little scroat decided to use somebody as a punchbag, then things may improve.

Expelling kids to walk the streets is not the answer because it's exactly what the bully would like. Neither is recent Government idea to spread these scumbags all around local schools so that they can do their dirty work elsewhere.

Bullies like people like you because you say it`s part of everyday life and thats what they look for . Someone who says it`s horrible but tells you to get on and learn by it.

I feel sorry for the names you have been called but the reality is some children get an awful lot more done to them. They then chhose not to live , can you imagine how a parent feels to loose a loved one. I came so slose to that last year, you reallly can`t imagine how I feel.

I know I am a responsible parent that tries to bring their children up with respect for others and learn to take lifes disappointments, but I will not and do not accept bullying.

When you become a parent your attitudes might change.

I know this is a forum and I respect your views. I am just telling you like it happens.

wrapping him in cotton wool (not saying that you are) by outlawing bullying won't prepare him for later life.

I understand a little of where you are coming from Ian.
I try to prepare him for later life by respecting people without hitting them. It is a brave man that walks away.

Do you know some of the parents that have children that bullie are one parent families that have social workers and case studies and so they don`t have or won`t get fines to pay, it dosent get that far, because staff at school feel sorry for them cause they don`t have paretns that care so our children end up paying for it.

I believe respect starts at home, but there has to be some sort of punishment at school for when they step out of line at school.
Where is that these days.

Before you have a go, not all parents are like what I have quoted but I don`t exactly live in a posh area so I am being honest. Quite a few parents deal with day to day life exactly like me but bullies come from what sort of families, have we explored that yet.

Originally posted by rosie
Do you know some of the parents that have children that bullie are one parent families that have social workers and case studies and so they don`t have or won`t get fines to pay, it dosent get that far, because staff at school feel sorry for them cause they don`t have paretns that care so our children end up paying for it.


Are you implying that children with one parent are the problem, 'cause it looks that way.
Most of the bullies at our school came from "normal" two parent families BTW.

I knew that whatever I said someone would take it the wrong way.

No I am not but I am being realistic around where I live. Am I wrong for doing that.

Not all one parent families have bullies as their children is that ok.

Originally posted by rosie
I knew that whatever I said someone would take it the wrong way.

No I am not but I am being realistic around where I live. Am I wrong for doing that.

Not all one parent families have bullies as their children is that ok.

Being from a one parent family is there a right way I should take your obvious predjudice ?

right, a one parent family has a son that smacked my daughter in the face and splattered her nose all over her face.

He was a boy got one and a half days off school and my daughter got nothing, no apologie nothing.

He was a boy hitting a girl why did he get off, because his mum died 3 years ago and the school feels sorry because he can`t cope.

What should my daughter learn from that men can hit women if they have had upset in their life.

I am not critising you , I am talking about parents around where I live, and how the education department wraps them up in cotton wool. Don`t forget I have been involved with the bullying and each time it was the same. How do you want me to express it.

if you vote no,then people will accept it as the norm and nothing will ever be done about it.......

In a nutshell folks, i am not sure what we can do about bullying.
I will never say it`s right because it`s not.

My lad is being bullied by a lad he pointed out to me while out shopping.

A knee jerk reaction would have been to confront him, but that could have made things worse.

He is from a mixed race set up (dad black, mom white) and living in a single parent set up with his mom.

Before you go off on one i am sure this has no significance, I am telling you the background.

Originally posted by rosie
I know I am a responsible parent that tries to bring their children up with respect for others and learn to take lifes disappointments, but I will not and do not accept bullying.

When you become a parent your attitudes might change.

I know this is a forum and I respect your views. I am just telling you like it happens.

Exactly

I am not a parent so I cannot understand how you feel.

But I have recently come through the state school system so I would say that my views on bullying are pretty valuable.

But I'm done with this now, I've put my view forward....

*btw sorry I couldn't reply earlier, my internet went offline for a bit :huh:*

What should be done about it? Its a scourge on the kids who just want to do well and cant because of this mental abuse. Personally I think we should kick out any kids who are known bullies and send them to special schools so they can bully each other. If I had my time at school again I would have started a vigilante group to help the kids that were being terrorised by the chav scum. Should schools, especially those with reps such a Waltheof, set up support groups where people should get together and discuss individual cases and proposed actions?
This matter is more than just about name calling , its about ruining someone's future due to psychological torment, something which is a criminal offence in the adult world but strangely allowed in the kids world.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21814&highlight=bullying+in+schools

already a thread on it mate

I can't be arsed to state my opinions twice.

Please check if the topic isn't already somewhere else if you don't want moderators on your back :P :thumbsup:

i help out in schools (primary) doing workshops with kids about bullying and racism (it is anti - bullying week) and its very hard. its not the kids you gotta worry about its the parents

doesnt matter what type of school you go to state or not, i got it at both! except it was physical at state and verbal at private. both types of bullying are just as bad.

Originally posted by NatalieSheff
doesnt matter what type of school you go to state or not, i got it at both! except it was physical at state and verbal at private. both types of bullying are just as bad.

I do believe that physical is worse but that's just my opinion.

As I said earlier, to show that it does not affect you by rising above it shows better character.


btw nat, 600 posts in 3 weeks?!?! isn't that a record?!?!?!

Originally posted by ianmitchell
I do believe that physical is worse but that's just my opinion.

As I said earlier, to show that it does not affect you by rising above it shows better character.


btw nat, 600 posts in 3 weeks?!?! isn't that a record?!?!?!
what can i say, im a chatter box! physical hurts but verbal just goes on and on - not good. did rise above it, did ace in exams and went on to further ed etc... and now they all stuck in their sad little lives - which is cool:clap:
i do think teachers shouldnt turn blind eye though, i know its difficult, i had it in one of my workshops at a primary on monday. kids are buggers, and learn most of it from parents- esp racism

Originally posted by NatalieSheff
what can i say, im a chatter box! physical hurts but verbal just goes on and on - not good. did rise above it, did ace in exams and went on to further ed etc... and now they all stuck in their sad little lives - which is cool:clap:
i do think teachers shouldnt turn blind eye though, i know its difficult, i had it in one of my workshops at a primary on monday. kids are buggers, and learn most of it from parents- esp racism

Exactly- you rose above it, did well.

The bullies, sod all.

Instead of outlawing bullying with dictatorship rules schools should teach kids how to rise above bullying.

yeah, i had to deal with a kid saying - my mum said if they hit me, hit em back. i agree with him, wish id done that! but youve gotta tell em to tell teacher. kids can be viscious though, one was caught tying rope round little girls neck

Originally posted by NatalieSheff
yeah, i had to deal with a kid saying - my mum said if they hit me, hit em back. i agree with him, wish id done that! but youve gotta tell em to tell teacher. kids can be viscious though, one was caught tying rope round little girls neck

I sometimes wish that I had hit bullies when I was at school. Thankfully though, I was never really physically bullied at school.

im now a ninja warrior huh huh!

I had to remove my son from a school in crookes due to bullying,
I was very disapointed at the schools lack of interest in the problems my son was having in the playground, at one point I even resorted to approaching the child in questions parents because when I asked the deputy head to do so she informed me she was too busy. In the end after been set apon by several boys in the playground and after the dinner ladys had turned a blind eye and left them to it he snapped lost his temper and bit one of the children. of course I was hauled in to school to hear the teachers talk it was all down to my son he was the one who was allways in trouble. Now my son does have disabiltys and can be challenging at the best of times, but I accept that and can see that somtimes he is the one to blame. but the things that were going on at this school had gone beyond a joke. At no point did the teachers tell me that before he bit the boy in question he had recived a kick to the cheekbone and needed a icepack, at no point did they inform me he had a recived a head injury. I n the end someone told me that the dinner ladys would walk away when they saw my son having problems and the teachers seemed to have a cant give a toss attitute as well. so I moved him to a different school. the change in him since he has been at the new school is unbelivable there has been no incidents at all and he is much happier. I think the school in questions attitude towards children can have a great deal to do with bullying. A lot of people assume that if a child misbehaves or bullys then its down to the parents, and this is not allways the case children who are being bullyed can often turn to bullying themselvs to compensate for the trauma they are suffering. my son went through a phase of trying to be a bully when he was suffering at school. Luckily I was aware of what was happening and managed to stop him doing this to other people. It was just a matter of pointing out how he felt when he was being bullyed and a bit of being grounded seemed to do the trick. I dont think bullying will ever go away. children are very cruel at times and a lot of it is part of growing up. But if we all work together parents, teachers, support staff at overcomming these problems and learning how to deal with them instead of brushing it under the carpet the situation could and would improve

Some schools are worse than others definately.

The school that you have mentioned there should definately be inspected and sorted out.

it is difficult for teachers to get involved - its easier for them to ignore it and hope it goes away, its not right though. maybe we should think about having camera installed in schools, like they did inthat nursery... if its a racist incidetn they have to report it to police now.
its not fair though, kids should be learning not worrying about bullies, hope ur baby ok soon xx

Yes I often thought about reporting them to the education authority, But too much time has passed now. My son is also practically blind in one eye and had a course of occlusion therapy a few years ago this perticular school said they did not have the resorces to deal with a visually impared child and said they would'nt help so moving him else where seemed the only option.
I did hear on the grapevine that a parent is taking legal action against this school over a playground injury.

bullying doesn't stop with school either.

Workplace bullying can be just as distressing if not as obviously visible.

Its pretty common, and when standing up to a bully can cost you a job or career, it can be very difficult to do. (Not that standing up to a bully is easy).

Bullying is just exercising your will over others using intimidation - often quite pointlessly so as to underline your power; some people stop, others carry right on throughout their lives doing it.

yeah because adults can be absolute b*****s, i was talking with a lady the other day whos transgendered and had to leave work because of bullying, its not fair. we go to work to earn money not be awful to eachother

Bullying goes on everywhere...

Once you leave School after being picked on thinking its all over... That your school days are behind you etc... You end up working in an enviroment that after 8 happy yrs of employment... employs a nasty piece of work that happens to be your new Manager... Who ends up making your life a complete misery for 2 years... Leaving no other choices but to leave...

Being put down for a quarter of your living years can really make a scar on you for life...

It can also take just as long to build your Confidence & Self Esteem back up to its full potential... It helps immensely when you have the support of your friends and loved ones around you...

Unfortunately i am talking from experience... Children/Adults can be so cruel...

(I'm not one for pity - just wanted to add my 2p worth or has it gone up now!) :razz:

If I may add my slant on this issue....I now have kids but was bullied at school. I cant even tell my wife about it I m so ashamed, it makes you feel less of a man (in my case) and it does affect your adult life so much. I am now 31 and due to the torment I suffered at school I took to body building and boxing. Its a shame that i wasnt this big then really! So I suppose some good came out of it except....If my lad, who will start school next year gets bullied I think I would take the law into my own hands and rough up the parents of the perpetrator...obviously I would only do that after the school have decided there is no problem really, which they always seem to do. Therefore if I do knock ten bells out of the kids dad (if they have one) I will be prosecuted for looking after my kids welfare!!!

I also understand that somekids who are bullied will not have a father to stick up for them, as in my case when I was a kid. Its truly those kids who suffer most as they dont have the support of a male to fight their battles.

Finally if bullying was race based I bet schools would only be too quick to act....but being white we are worthless arn't we?

Originally posted by Tony_BLiar
I also understand that somekids who are bullied will not have a father to stick up for them, as in my case when I was a kid. Its truly those kids who suffer most as they dont have the support of a male to fight their battles.


Not having a dad around me stand up for myself, i've never needed him to fight my battles.

Nick2...having a male role model like a father helps young men build an idea of how to act like a male, as does having a male sibling who's older...it gives you confidence to deal with other males, thats a fact of life and has been since life began.

Originally posted by Tony_BLiar
Nick2...having a male role model like a father helps young men build an idea of how to act like a male, as does having a male sibling who's older...it gives you confidence to deal with other males, thats a fact of life and has been since life began.

Your point ?

Originally posted by Tony_BLiar
If my lad, who will start school next year gets bullied I think I would take the law into my own hands and rough up the parents of the perpetrator...obviously I would only do that after the school have decided there is no problem really, which they always seem to do. Therefore if I do knock ten bells out of the kids dad (if they have one) I will be prosecuted for looking after my kids welfare!!!


That really doesn't set a good role model to take the law into your own hands (literally)

Think with your head-not your fists.

I dont see how Bullying can be stopped fully unless everyone pulls together... Parents Teachers & Children....

Children cant go through their young lives thinking and feeling their worthless...

Originally posted by Tony_BLiar
If I may add my slant on this issue....I now have kids but was bullied at school. I cant even tell my wife about it I m so ashamed, it makes you feel less of a man (in my case) and it does affect your adult life so much. I am now 31 and due to the torment
i know the feeling! but once you get talking to people about it youd be amazed at how many went thru it. you survived!!
i found out on fri that one of my school mates died (overdose), i put it down to bullying

Nick2..My point is that people are always talking about the poor little bullies and their lack of proper parenting being the cause,e.g. he doesn't have a dad, one parent family etc...but they dont take into account the homelife of the kid who is being bullied....more attention should be offered to the victim..but then thats symptomatic of the dungaree wearing society that we live in..

ALSO..why do you think that those who post on here, who have been bullied, are so emotional about the subject?..because it will always affect your behaviour until you die..thats why strong words and actions are needed..not some namby pamby lilly livered uptake like some of the people who have responded on this site...bring back boot camps for the scum with burberry caps on.

agree with a bit of that, bullying does affect you for rest of life, i still haev times when i cry about it or wake up crying. its tough and lifes a b**** but what can you do? tell a teacher? hit em back?

Originally posted by Tony_BLiar
ALSO..why do you think that those who post on here, who have been bullied, are so emotional about the subject?..because it will always affect your behaviour until you die..thats why strong words and actions are needed..not some namby pamby lilly livered uptake like some of the people who have responded on this site...bring back boot camps for the scum with burberry caps on.

I was bullied at school, I think almost everyone I went to school with was at some time, but the bullies didn't come from one parent families (which someone has suggested is the cause), they all had their dads around (so no role model wasn't the cause either) and none of them wore Burberry caps (again, perhaps not the cause), I'm fairly sure one of them came from a fairly rich family too (before anyone suggests a link to council houses and/or low income).

You can't point to something about a kid and say "that will make him/her a bully" you guys don't know it, but your kids could be bullies at school.

I accept that some people will be affected by bullying for the rest of their lives, and that is sad, but I don't think it's everyone, I would bet that most people forget all about it after they leave school. Some kids have commited suicide because of it, but kids have also commited suicide because they failed their 'o' levels, what should we do about that ?

Originally posted by nick2


I accept that some people will be affected by bullying for the rest of their lives, and that is sad, but I don't think it's everyone, I would bet that most people forget all about it after they leave school. Some kids have commited suicide because of it, but kids have also commited suicide because they failed their 'o' levels, what should we do about that ?

How can you compare kids killing themselves because they failed their exams to kids doing it cos some arrogant little no mark has decided to pick on them for no reason?The latter group of victims dont have a choice, the former ones have only themselves to blame for their failures. Picture this...I only got 3 gcse's at school because I wagged it to avoid the kids that picked on me...I picked my self up and have just graduated from Uni at 30. U know what made me such a victim? The ignorant attitude of teachers who didnt do anything about it. They saw the other kids doing well and thought I must just be thick.. So maybe there is a link between kids being bullied and doing rubbish in their school exams eh?!! Go figure...

Originally posted by Tony_BLiar
How can you compare kids killing themselves because they failed their exams to kids doing it cos some arrogant little no mark has decided to pick on them for no reason?The latter group of victims dont have a choice, the former ones have only themselves to blame for their failures.

I'm comparing them as two stressfull things kids have to cope with.
I don't think kids who kill themselves because they fail their exams only have themselves to blame.

Ive read enough here to make me feel sick to the bottom of my stomach.

How many of you have said that you dont condone bullying BUT?

There are no excuses for bullies, none. It should not be allowed.

It has always happened yeah, that does not mean it should.

I DO expect schools to deal with this, and I DO think that while my child is in their care he should be protected.

THE SCHOOLS ARE NOT DEALING WITH THIS. THEY ARE NOT KEEPING OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

If the teachers can not handle the kids, then dont teach. If the heads cant make schools safe then resign.

My son doesnt bully, or get bullied whilst hes in my care, so this one you cant balme on the single parent. He has been stabbed at school, but thats nothing compared to the phsycological damage that has been done.

Yes, I work with children so I know for a fact that it is rife.

In 1983 I was bullied, to the point where I was held at knife point by my bully, who was a year younger than me.

I was beaten daily, to and from school. In school. If I went to the shop for my mum.

Police intervention did not help, I left Sheffield. Had to become a new me and pretend it never happened in order to get on with the rest of my life.

Bullying is no greater now than it was then, the only difference is that now it is not acceptable behaviour. When I was a young teenager the theory was, "everyone gets bullied sometime... deal with it!!"

I was bullied at school for being fat.

My wife (although I didn't know her then ) was bullied at her school for being thin... :loopy: :loopy: ???

Our son is now being bullied at his school (although he's almost a black belt at Taekwondo) he's frightened of retaliating in case he gets reported & put in the 'naughty book'..


****ing naughty book? :rant:
Why are these amoeba not expelled after the many complaints?

So I went to school today & spoke to the Head teacher. Again.

Things are going to change :thumbsup:

It is time that all the political parties took notice of the real issues in school.Why is this topic not a the top of their agenda when campaigning up and down the country.
Do any of them really understand what we all really want from a government.
This is a real issue, affecting real people every day and it never seems to go a way.While ever schools are not given the correct funding and teachers are not trained specifically to deal with all the wider issues affecting school life, this problem will never be resolved

When I was a kid,

both of my parents worked. My mother sent my sisters and I to a babysitter. This woman had three kids of her own. The two older ones took no notice of us, but the youngest boy was exactly my age, in my class at school, and felt it was his mission in life to make my life hell.

After what seemed like an eternity of running and hiding from him and his hoodlum friends at school, being teased and poked on the bus, and being chased like a fox with a pack of hounds after me to get from the bus stop to my house, I got up the nerve to tell my teacher. She didn't do a damn thing. I told my mother. She didn't do anything. I told HIS mother. She didn't do anything.

In desperation, I wrote a letter in my nine year old handwriting to his father, outlining what his son had been up to lo these many weeks, and how miserable he had been making things for me.

What happened next surpassed my wildest dreams.

This man walked his son down to our house. When my mother opened the door, I was treated to the sight of my bully standing there with a tear streaked face, while his father gripped the back of his neck with a heavy hand. I could hardly believe my ears as this kid apologized to me (I knew damn well he didn't mean a word of it, but I was enjoying myself anyway) and promised to leave me alone in the future. As a final, malicious touch, his father informed me that for the rest of the school year, his son was to walk me to and from the bus stop and carry my books for me.

I got my revenge later when we were both sixteen and I refused to date him. ;)

Our families still see each other about once a year or so. In fact, he's on the school board for the city of Dublin, California. The kid who hated school and was practically a juvenile delinquent is running the school board. Who'da thunk it?

:) Sierra