Bullying has been all over the new lately due to the numerous suicides and it has made me think about when I grew up and if you have children about them growing up safe and happy -without being bullied. It is so sad to hear about children taking their lives because of teasing and bullying!!! It is just senseless! I was bullied and teased relentlessly when I was in Junior High… there were a handful of boys that were just plain hateful. I literally (no exaggerating) was in the principal’s office everyday in the 6th grade due to these boys. They barked at me down the hallway, brought me dog bones, flea shampoo, a collar, and dog treats for valentines day one year. It was a really hard year for me… I tried not to let them know how much it hurt… which was why I was in the principal’s office everyday for fighting!! Eventually one of them apologized (thanks JK) and said that it was just because they all liked me!?!?!?! Some way of showing it!! I think almost all of them asked me out in high school or in college but I told them I wouldn’t date them because of how they treated me but that we could be friends. Even as a 30 year old I don’t get the mind set of – I like you so let me make you miserable!! I don’t think that people understand the effect that they have on other people.Anyways there are lots of other stories from junior high but I just realized as I sit here typing that it is not worth repeating… I just hope that I can raise my daughter (and future children) to be the kind of person/people that doesn’t put up with bullying and isn’t bullying others! That they will stand up for themselves or others!! My other hope is that my husband and I have an open honest relationship with our children that they feel comfortable talking to us about anything!! My heart goes out to those families that have lost loved ones due to bullying.