Compliments, that is okay. Being kind, that is okay. But do you know what is NOT okay? Bullying. Bullying IS NOT okay. Being around your peers all day can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you are constantly thinking about what you look like, if you “fit in”, or if people like you.

Recently I’ve heard a lot of attention come to this topic so I thought it would be a good one to address. Within the last week I have heard of two suicides due to bullying. This is an issue. These weren’t far from home either. Both being on the eastern half of South Dakota. One of these situations touched me more than the other because it affects my twelve year old cousin. This poor, innocent, sweet little girl lost her best friend because she felt life was better without her here. This. is. an. issue. *Callie* thought this world would be better off without her presence because she was told that by her peers over and over. Once you hear something so many times it can get to your head and almost start to sound true, which is so sad. *Callie* had reported it to her school and the school did not take disciplinary action against the bully. The school tried to cover up the fact that *Callie* had taken her own life by telling her classmates that she was in a car accident and had passed. That is when my cousin decided that between herself and her friends that they were going to tell the true story about *Callie* because it wasn’t fair.

In conclusion I meant to have this blog bring awareness to what is going on in our own school systems, a place where kids should feel safe and free to be themselves. Please take the time and talk to you children, nieces, nephews etc. and remind them that bullying in any way is NOT OKAY.

In a world where you can be anything, just be kind to one another!

*names changed to protect privacy*