My daughter is 7 and is in grade two. We just moved to a new town and she has started a new school...just last week.

This summer she practiced riding her bike alot. She's never been much of a bike rider as we have never lived anywhere where she could really practice. Well, today she was so excited b/c I had agreed to let her ride her bike to school (ds and I went too, of course).

Well, as soon as she was on the school grounds 4 boys her age (1 from her class, 3 from another grade 2 class) came over and started teasing her about the size of her bike. It is small but we decided to let her ride it this summer and build up her confidence and then next year get a new one for her. They were saying it was a baby bike. This coming from a 7 year old the size of my 3 year old! I was riping mad!!! I told the boys they were being rude, that teasing was a form of bulleying and made them apologize to DD but it just broke me heart. I hate when people are mean to her. Last year she "thought" she heard some kids say that she had big ears and now she doesn't want to wear ponytails to school b/c someone might tease her.

Why are kids so cruel sometimes? Thanks for listening. I just needed to vent.

By Kate on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 03:33 pm:

Oh, Paula! I'm so sorry. That would have broken my heart, too. The boys were probably jealous because she got to do a cool thing like ride her bike to school, so they tried to build themselves up by knocking HER down. I know something like that can stay with a kid for a long time and totally ruin their enthusiasm or confidence for whatever it was that got mocked. I well remember a 'For Better or Worse' cartoon many years ago. It was about Elizabeth who was in junior high at the time. She was sporting a new hairdo in that it was french braided. Each cartoon square was of someone complimenting her on it...her father, her friends, her teachers, as she went about her school day. Second to last square is some obnoxious boy laughing at her hair. Last square is Elizabeth back at home in tears telling her mom that her hair looked dumb and EVERYONE hated it and laughed at her. When I read that I thought Lynn Johnston had once again captured reality. Every child has these sad moments...not much you can do except try and explain that the comments of others don't matter. It's hard to do when the child is only seven though.

By Melanie on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 03:36 pm:

Poor kid!!! I hate when things like that happen. Give her a huge (((((HUG))))) for me. I wish I knew the words to make that kind of hurt better.

By Colette on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

:0( poor dd.

By Bellajoe on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 03:47 pm:

Poor thing! Kids are so cruel sometimes. Just tell her to ignore them, there just jealous of her!

By Mommyathome on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 08:46 pm:

That is one of the hardest things about DK's growing up. I would have been heartbroken as well. I can't believe those kids said that when you were *with* her. Usually they save stuff like that for after the parents are out of site.

((((hugs))))) for your DD

By Pamt on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 10:13 pm:

That makes me sad too. Hugs for you and DD.