Anti-Bullying Legislation Presented in Orlando-Should it Pass?

If you are the parent of a child that has ever been bullied, then you may be aware of this anti-bullying legislation that is being pushed to passed in Orlando, Florida. Not only should it be passed, but it should pass without the need to be pushed.

Tricia Norman, the mother of a young girl that committed suicide after being bullied is working hard for those kids that won't speak up for themselves or that can't speak up for themselves. It's heartbreaking but true. She is asking lawmakers to consider passing this new state and Federal anti-bullying legislation because the current laws just don't do enough.

Her daughter Rebecca was only 12 when she jumped to her death at a concrete plant last September. At the age of 12, what young woman thinks about doing such a thing? How could this possibly be what our youngsters have to think about these days?

Shouldn't she have been thinking about going to boy band concerts, studying and doing homework, and dreaming of her future? This is what most teenage girls do, but for Rebecca the struggles were very different. Hers were deeper, and something no young woman or young man should ever be thinking about.

Just a few months after her death, the Sheriff arrested two of her classmates for aggravated stalking that they believe led up to her death. It's a fear that not only could your child be bullied, but it's also sad to think that your child could be the one doing the bullying.

If you read our post a week ago about Demi Lovato and what she is doing to take a stand against bullying, and to reach out to those that have had this experience, then you will hear that she too is in support of this anti-bullying legislation.

Although the girls were taken into custody and questioned, the girls were let go with insufficient evidence. As a mother, I am sure that Tricia Norman gets no rest, and the fear is that the message being sent out is that this is acceptable behavior.

Would you vote for this anti-bullying legislation? I know I would, because there isn't enough being done. The parents want the school to raise their children, and the teachers don't want to deal with the changes in students because it's overwhelming.

We would love to hear from you! How do you feel about this issue? Where do you stand on bullying with teens? Would you vote for this "anti-bullying legislation"?

Do Friends Become Bullies?

Is it possible that friends can be become a bully? Recently an article was published on CNN about Ally del Monte and her thyroid disease.

As a result of medication she was taking, she gained 60 pounds, and the jokes started to roll in.

Can you imagine such a dramatic change? I know a young woman that had her thyroid removed in 2008, and after that, the weight just piled on pound after pound. It was horrifying, and she gained more than 100 pounds in 45 days.

Kids can be cruel though, and they don't have that understanding that we do as adults that these types of jokes can have long lasting effects on an individual's life. The boys banned Ally from the jungle gym, stating that they feared she would break it. How awful.

Ally took it as normal, because she was getting used to the poor choice of jokes. Sad, wouldn't you say? Would you call these friends? I wouldn't.

Just because you are different or you don't look like others or dress like others, does that make you alien in some way? Does it make you uncool? Friends can often change with the wind and be cruel to you no matter what the cost of your current friendship.

Kids often don't see that what they are doing is mean or even wrong. Is that because your example as a parent is poor? It could be, and if you aren't guarded enough about it, you could be leading your children to believe this type of behavior is okay. Am I right?

It takes you being a committed parent, and in some cases it also takes you being a committed friend. Whether or not you are a teen, middle-age, or you are the parent, you have to stand up and teach your children what is acceptable behavior and what isn't.

Who do your children consider friends? Can you remember ever having "friends" like this? If so, it's time for you to reconsider who you are spending most of your time with, and take a look at who your children are spending time with.

Sometimes it's not that easy, but if you stay in tune with their lives and stay involved, everything will turn out alright. Be courageous, and share with your children and friends how to show more courage and love in this world!

PS-Did you relate to this blog post? Are your children struggling with being bullied at school? Why not give them something positive to wear in front of their friends, that will hopefully get them to stop and think? You can go HERE to show your courage!