I can remember an incident of bullying when I was in 6th grade like it was yesterday

[ejpoeta]

1. I was picked on most of my childhood.

At one school I remember a kid spitting on me. I was picked on for my clothes, for my glasses, for my hair. It didn't matter. I had a kid throw all my books down the hall from my locker. It was awful at the time. Looking back I have the perspective, but in that time this was my whole world as I spent most of my time at school. I loved learning, but I dreaded school. Kids from my own team in gym would take the ball from me. When I went to catholic school it wasn't any better. They picked on my clothes even though we had uniforms. Laughed at me because I didn't know what the designers were. They were better at getting away with it and were more subtle about it. Not that anything would have been done. I was told to ignore them. Sticks and stones can break your bones.... I still hear that today. But it can hurt. My mom died when I was 12. Imagine THAT on top of being picked on?? I mean she was sick for 5 years before she died... I was a depressed kid needless to say. Now I don't think much about it, but my kids have experienced it. My oldest is very independent and has ADHD and has had a lot of problems. But she dresses different. I told her she had two choices. Be who she is and expect to be picked on or conform and still face that possibility. I am proud that she stayed who she is. I love who she is and would hate to see anyone try to take that from her. So far she is staying true to herself. I know it isn't always easy, and I will ask her about it. She seems to be ok.