Being bullied? Talk to an adult!
In August 2005, I moved from a small private school to a charter school. The new school wasn’t much bigger than my old one. The new school was a tight-knit community. Everyone knew each other, and I was the odd man out. At first, I made a few great friends, ones I still know and go to school with today. But for some reason, there were kids who made a point not to like me because I was the NEW KID.
From the very beginning, these kids would trip me as I was walking in the hallways, push me in the playground, and start fights with me every time they had the chance. I know they say violence is never the answer, but my instincts told me if I didn’t stand up for myself the bullies would never stop.
The bullies were made up of six kids who would attack as a pack. I tried my best to hold my ground, but there were just too many for me to hold my own. I never thought second graders could be so cruel and abusive. Every day was a struggle, and I did my best to weather it. But it continued. Finally, I told my parents I did not want to go to school anymore. My parents immediately knew there was something wrong. Being seven years old, I was a terrible liar and my parents saw right through the lies.
My parents told me to get dressed and took me to school. They met with the principal and explained to her what I was dealing with every day. The principle assured my parents that she would address the issue immediately. The principle came to my class and addressed everyone on bullying. All the kids voiced their opinion, and some of them even came forward and admitted that they were also the targets of bullying.
The discussion with the class was long, but there was no yelling or punishment for anyone. I thought to myself this was not going to go very well. But after an encouraging wink from the principal, I felt hopeful. For the next few days I felt a little nervous, not sure whether or not the discussion with the principle would work. And to my surprise, I never again had a problem with the so-called “bullies.” I still go to the same charter school, but I will never forget the bullying I encountered in the second grade.
The lesson here is that it is always best to get an adult or teacher to intervene instead of taking on the problem by yourself. That might sound strange, but it’s true. I tried to be tough, but in the end all I did was prolong the bullying. What really saved me was my parents bringing the problem to the attention of the principle and teachers and having them address the issue.
If you ever get into a similar situation, get help from the adults immediately. Trust me, you will not regret it.
Check out the Kid Reporter Special Report Stand Up to Bullying for more stories about kids and adults confronting bullying in their schools and lives!
Have you been the victim of bullying? Do you see it happening in your schools? How do you stand up to bullies? Let us know in the comments section below!
Photo: SW Productions/Photodisc/Getty Images
I agree with you! Talking to an adult will make things easier. Thank you for talking about it.
Posted by: KR Topanga | 10/18/2011 at 03:45 PM
I've been bully'd in k1.I have not seen bullying in my school. I would stomp on their foot and run to go tell the teacher.
Posted by: victor | 11/29/2011 at 03:57 PM
Ive never been bullied. I realy never seen it happend in my school. if i were bulliedi would go tell the teacher and i wouldent be mean at him/her because that would make the problem bigger and worse.
Posted by: Esmeralda | 11/29/2011 at 03:58 PM
I have been bully'd in k1. I have not seen bullying at my school yet. How I would stand up to a bully is i would step on their toe and run and tell a teacher.
Posted by: victor | 11/30/2011 at 04:05 PM
I felt sorry!
Posted by: xavier | 03/13/2012 at 11:53 AM
get were ur coming from in my school bullying is just talking not hiting but its still bullying
Posted by: vicki | 05/21/2012 at 08:16 AM
I have been bullied.Everybody calls me short and freckle face. When ever i go to lunch gangs come up and spill my food on me. I get tripped in the hallway.I get mean nonsense notes in my locker. I would tell a teacher but they said if i do they will murder me. So i feel left out when my friends are hanging out with someone else.
:(
Posted by: Grace | 11/30/2012 at 02:24 PM
feel bad, that was a good thing to do.
Posted by: clever123 | 01/14/2013 at 04:52 PM
This was great
Posted by: No | 01/14/2013 at 10:24 PM
I get bullied too. I told the teacher and it stopped. you should stand up to yourself!!
Posted by: Tenzin | 01/22/2013 at 07:06 PM
bullying is not god for kids never want to be bully so thats why you dont bother them walk away tell an adult try to beat to the bully
Posted by: tj | 01/23/2013 at 07:16 PM
I always bend bully like today new girl came to schơol I try to make frinds with her but my bully classmate told her all about lies about me so I try to tell her that I did not do enything those what ever they told her about me was lies but at last she belived me only kind of so I toke out my 1800 sticker pad she was suprise so i told her if shes still my frend now she said yes so only secret friend so the others will not know and she will act like shes not my friend so the other will be trick and so they wont trick her about being my friend
Posted by: tj | 01/23/2013 at 07:32 PM