Most of us have dealt with bullies at one time or another in our lives. It is something that society has come to accept as okay up until the past few years. Bullying is not okay in the workforce and not in schools.

I am a parent of a child who has been bullied at school off and on for the past six years. I will be the first one to say that my children are not angels, but nobody should have to put up with physical or mental bullying.

First, the person being bullied should tell someone. Keep telling someone until it stops; follow the chain of command. The last resort, if all else fails, is to go to the police. Every child should be able to feel safe and comfortable to go to school.

I know everyone is probably thinking that their child will be labeled a narc, a sissy, or some other really nasty name. It is true the kids will call names. My son is dealing with it now. I guarantee you that if it was one of those kids being bullied all the time, they would be telling someone about it. Please, parents, encourage your child to keep telling someone until it stops. Maybe if more and more kids come forward, the bullies will get the message that we do not want bullying at our school.

Instead of egging the bullies on, kids should step up and say, “we don’t accept this behavior.” Parents, maybe we need to train our kids to stand up to these bullies in groups. One child alone may get hurt, but a bully can’t take on a group.

I know that we can’t stop everything. Things happen when no one is around. But as parents, we can be a strong advocate for our children in educating them on what to do if he or she is being bullied or what to do to stand up to a bully (as a group).

I am praying that we are done with my son being bullied. It is one of the hardest things as a parent to watch your child go through this. I do thank the kids involved who tried to help my son. Parents, talk to your kids about the bullies. Let them know as a group this can be stopped and do not cheer on the bully.

Lana Lennington

St. Ignace