When most people hear the word "bullying" they think of high school, or middle school. But what about elementary school? That was my experience.
When young kids are mean to each other adults tell them to apologies and then everything is "fine" because the kid now knows what they did was wrong and, hopefully, has learned their lesson. In truth, little children do not listen half the time and keep doing the same behavior. Maybe it makes them feel good, there's issues at home, or something else going on. But teachers who see these acts of bullying taking place in the classroom, or on the playground should not just give up like mine did.
I was a generally happy, energetic child 24/7 growing up in my small town with my loving family. As my time in elementary school continued I started to feel this separation between my classmates and myself. I was called "weird", "four eyes", "dummy", names that seem so powerless to me now, but at the time were the most hurtful names anyone could ever call me.
I told my teachers about what was happening and they made my bullies apologies, have me tell them I forgive them and that seemed to be the end of that. It wasn't. I would tell my parents about it all, and for a while, as long as the teacher knew about it that seemed to be enough to handle the situation. After all, I was about eight to 10 years-old when this was all happening.
When fourth grade rolled around my rolling backpack was kicked so many times by these two girls who insisted on always being behind me in line to leave that it broke and the handle was unable to go down. That's when my mom took further action and directly spoke to my teachers.
The teachers talked to the girls, but nothing was solved because they lied their way out of it and promised to never do it again.
If you don't see a pattern developing already here's the outcome of my time in that K-8 school I affectionately refer to as Hell. Ironically it was a Catholic school. Yeah, they're not exactly as "love thy neighbor" as they appear.
Fifth grade was the worst for me. I was getting things thrown at me and now two boys were being more pains in my neck than they were before. I would fake sick to miss school and cried almost every day. I hated my life. Towards the middle of the year, my parents told me that the next year I would be enrolled at the local, public middle school. This was the best news ever!
Being bullied definitely made me a stronger individual, but I am also very insecure and self-conscious because of it. I am always making sure I look my best. Sometimes I feel like I'm a bother to people or that I'm annoying, but over the years, I have found wonderful friends who love and accept me for all that I am, flaws and all.
I stick up for myself now and fight for what I believe in. I remove negative people from my life and surround myself with those who make me smile, but there is still that small worry in the back of my mind that one day the friends who are closest to me will one day turn out to be just like the bullies in elementary school who made me believe they were my friends before they showed who they really were.
