Author Archives: carl

>saw my daughter

>

Saw my daughter tonight. she looks and sounds so much better than she did on Wednesday. She asked me if I was disappointed with her. We talked about how I am always telling the kids to talk about and be honest about their feelings. I asked her how I could be disappointed in her doing what I have been telling her to do. I am not disappointed in her.

We talked about what is going to happen when she goes back to school and what she wants to happen. We talked about how people were eventually going to find out where she was, and why. We talked about what I needed to do to help our community develop a policy regarding bullying in the schools. I told her that unless she told me I could help her, that I didn’t feel free to talk about it. I explained that it is happening to other kids. I explained that the only way we can begin the process of ending bullying is to talk about what is going on. I said, that means naming her. and talking about how she felt.

Before I left, she said: “you can help me.”

I am so proud of her. I could just burst.

she didn’t hurt herself. she did, however, have a weapon of choice, and a plan of action. which are two of the three pillars upon which suicides happen. I will say it again, I am forever grateful for the people who helped save her by convincing her to talk about how she was feeling.

>Bullying

>I am going to rant.

Bullying is an epidemic that needs to be eradicated like small pox.

When a child talks of hurting themselves because of the behaviors of a few, it is a community issue.  Everyone in the community needs to get involved in working toward a solution.

My family is affected by this.  Why?  Because of bullying.  We live in a small town, and are seen as outsiders by those who have lived here for a long time.  Not the parents so much as the kids. These behaviors are learned at home.  We need to work together to affect a change that shows the youth of today that bullying in any form is just not acceptable behavior.

A parent should not fear that their child will kill themselves.  Words can not express how grateful I am that my daughter sought the help she so desperately needed.  We need to bring immediate attention to this, and put in place whatever supports and/or committees are necessary to eliminate this problem.

Bullying occurs on so many levels, adults bullying co-workers, parents bullying kids, and so on.  This behavior is most often learned at home.  Please, speak to your children about how they are treating their peers.

Young people, if you know of someone who is experiencing this issue, you need to speak up.  talk to a teacher, write an anonymous note.  Anything, but please don’t let it hide in the shadows.  Nothing good can come of that.

i beg you, please help end bullying now.

>a message to our son

>I don’t know about you, but when I get a call with positive comments about one of my kids, I puff up with pride.

Our son is in a residential facility in the city near where we live.  He has been there for almost 6 moths.  Today, I got a call that was nothing but positive about him.  I am so impressed with his change, and while I realize that there will be times when he reverts to his old behaviors, I am very proud of the person he is becoming. 

Too often as parents we let the past remind us of how a child is.  We realize that we need to let go of hurtful feelings and give the child a chance to start anew.  Never forgetting of course the history.  If we don’t look at and remember the history, we are doomed to repeat it.  He has come such a long way since the wild and uncontrolled force that he was 7 months ago. 

I am incredibly proud of you son, and can’t wait for you to return home permanently.  See you soon buddy! Know that not a day goes by when we don’t miss you.