I’ve blogged before about my own personal experience of being bullied in my high school years.
And of how the consequences, the lingering taste of the experience, layered me.
I’ve spoken of the impact that bullying has on a person.
And of how the consequences, the lingering taste of the experience, layered me.
I’ve spoken of the impact that bullying has on a person.
I was bullied continuously for five years.
And, as I’ve said, I suffered physically and mentally.
When I blogged about bullying, the reactions were open and honest.
People spoke about trust issues, of how difficult it is to like yourself, of the consequences that can lead to spirals in so many other fragments of life.
I blogged that,“The bullying that happened from the ages of 11 - 16 still influences me.”
And since then I have been thinking about how our children can be helped.
I found, Words Don't Hurt.
Launched in April 2007, Words Don't Hurt by Monica Gabb, is the most creative and inspiring book on bullying that I have ever read.
It is a self funded project, overlooked by major publishers.
(grrrrr)
And that for me, is even more reason to support it.
Books like this are rare, unique.
The voice speaks of experience, of understanding.
It will stimulate and engage the child reader.
It has a simplicity, a contemporary look, an honesty, that will vibrate within any child or adult who has ever been bullied.
And I honestly feel that it would help a bullied child, that it would encourage them to voice all that is confusing and disturbing.
Monica's website is beautiful.
And, as I’ve said, I suffered physically and mentally.
When I blogged about bullying, the reactions were open and honest.
People spoke about trust issues, of how difficult it is to like yourself, of the consequences that can lead to spirals in so many other fragments of life.
I blogged that,“The bullying that happened from the ages of 11 - 16 still influences me.”
And since then I have been thinking about how our children can be helped.
I found, Words Don't Hurt.
Launched in April 2007, Words Don't Hurt by Monica Gabb, is the most creative and inspiring book on bullying that I have ever read.
It is a self funded project, overlooked by major publishers.
(grrrrr)
And that for me, is even more reason to support it.
Books like this are rare, unique.
The voice speaks of experience, of understanding.
It will stimulate and engage the child reader.
It has a simplicity, a contemporary look, an honesty, that will vibrate within any child or adult who has ever been bullied.
And I honestly feel that it would help a bullied child, that it would encourage them to voice all that is confusing and disturbing.
Monica's website is beautiful.
(I am in love with the cards and the 'Make Me' book looks fab too)
Words Don't Hurt is stunning.
I was covered in shivers reading the simple rhymes that are given depth by the creative illustrations. The use of art, of texture to create mood, is striking.
Told from a child’s perspective, the poetic narrative tells of the pain that the bullies are causing. It encourages confiding, sharing, something that I never felt able to do. And as the child confides, the lifting of self, the finding of self begins to emerge.
“Whoever said that words don’t hurt,
I have to say is NO expert!”
I can’t give you the words to describe this one. It is a visual experience.
Told from a child’s perspective, the poetic narrative tells of the pain that the bullies are causing. It encourages confiding, sharing, something that I never felt able to do. And as the child confides, the lifting of self, the finding of self begins to emerge.
“Whoever said that words don’t hurt,
I have to say is NO expert!”
I can’t give you the words to describe this one. It is a visual experience.
I honestly believe that every school in the country should have a copy of this book. It should be the basis of personal and social development (PSE and PSCHE). There are school packs available.
(I also have no idea if every school has a copy already!)
And 10% of all sales go to Bullying UK.
And 10% of all sales go to Bullying UK.
Need I say more?
If you can help to spread the word on this one, or pass on the link to your local school, please do.
Let’s at least try and inform our children at an early age and help prevent the lingering impact that can carry a child into adulthood.
Let’s at least try and inform our children at an early age and help prevent the lingering impact that can carry a child into adulthood.
And Monica Gabb, thank you.
17 comments:
It sounds like a great book. It's so important that this subject is tackled in schools. Hopefully that will go some way to preventing children going through the misery of being bullied and also mean that not so many people turn into adults who think it's OK to get what they want through bullying behaviour and aggression. It's a huge subject isn't it?
Looks really good. Bullying is such a horrible thing and quite hard to deal with!
Thanks for the referral. Sounds like a great one, and such an important topic. It's mind boggling how some adults STILL let kids get away with bullying other kids. Makes me crazy to think about it!
Helenmh - huge, really huge. It needs addressing within schools and I feel that this book would provide an ideal foundation. Bullying, power control and manipulation, it shocks me how many children grow into bullying adults.
Jon - I'm sure that you've had experience of children who have been bullied, within your working life.
Sue - But Sue, worse still is that some adults bully too. There are even some who hide behind their keyboards. The world is quite nasty, sometimes.
x
Brilliant!
anonymous - thank you :)
I've not really experienced much bullying myself, but enough to really detest seeing it. My son went through a bad period in school, but got through it. In the past I've also seen grown men and women reduced to tears and made ill through mental bullying in work.
But it's sometimes difficult to prove and often hard to root out. Sadly it's not always discovered before harm is done and sometimes despite all the words there is no real will within the organisation to deal with it.
Organisations often hide behind a veneer of political correctness and vague mission statements when their real style is still rooted in matcho-management, a blame culture and an unwillingness to take difficult decisions.
Yet managing by bullying is usually based on the fear that unless staff are scared of them the manager's own weakness or lack of ability will be plain for all to see.
All bullies are at heart deeply scared, but that's no consolation to the bullied. The bullied need to know that they are not alone, that they have done nothing wrong and that there is a will and intent by those around them to do something about it, particularly those who have the power to influence the culture of that community.
I'm glad to see people reaching out, rather than turning their backs.
Bullying is so awful and my daughter's class covered this in depth last year. I shall ask her if they have this school pack.
Brilliant Caroline. A much needed book. I'll help spread the word on this one.
Many thanks for spreading the word, truly touched by the review. I really hope it helps people. Monica Gabb
No time to comment: am buying the book! First things first and supporting this great project is a definite FIRST.
Sounds such a fantastic and inspiring book. We need books like this in Italy - desperately.
Caroline, many thanks for the links.Our bullying policy at school is currently being reviewed, out with staff for comments/input.I will pass these links on. TFX
I will add it to my Easter Sunday post. Very appropriate topic I think.
I think it's a great idea but wonder if something more visual would be more effective.
My son's age group - 12 -14 - are the hardest to get reading but there are also a great age to act as Mentors.
Alex's school has a few mentors for each age group and it's been a great success.
As every mother of a teenager knows, our children worship at the temple of MSN. If MSN could do something, that would be huge.
The book does sound great and I will certainly get a copy for my husband to take to take into school
As always, thanks so much for listening and for your comments.
You always know when I feel strongly about something ... I tend to go off on a rant!
Paul - I agree and I'm wishing that I was naive, I think that the fundamentals of bullying are deep within and often a symptom of something far deeper. BUT if this book could help children to voice, if talking about the subject could help children in even the smallest of ways ... then I'll smile.
Debs - good idea. I'll be giving the link to my children's school too (I hadn't thought to do that!)
Rosie - thanks. It is a parenting issue for so many x
Monica - welcome to my blog and thanks so much for the comment. I really do hope that this blog post helps in some way.
Deborah :) thank you x
Pacha - perhaps it could be translated into Italian!
TF - fab! Policy review - oh the joys of paper work. Thanks for passing on the link x
dj - yes it would be. Thanks x
Fiona - catching the attention of teenagers is so difficult. Something interactive would be ideal. MSN is loved, but do the big companies listen? I really don't know what the solution is, but small steps and gradual feeding in of what is and isn't right/correct ... perhaps I am idealistic. I am happy to support this book, because it is so very engaging and beautiful.
xxx
I forgot to say, how angry and upset I am for you or the child that was you. I had just a few weeks of being bullied when I was twelve and can only imagine how terrifying and lonely it must be to have to endure it for much longer.
Zero tolerance is the only way.
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