*Sigh*

The past week has passed by in such a blur....a sickly, emotional, heartbreaking blur.
Thankfully physically we are all over the worst and are recovered from the nastiest virus.
Emotionally - well that’s a different story :(

J is being bullied both in and out of school :(
I’m not talking name calling bullying either :(
This is serious - so serious that he is nursing two cracked ribs and we have the men in blue investigating :(
The fact that the police are involved means J is at complete sixes and sevens - he fears repercussion - as does his brother.
I cant help but feel this is a sad and sick world at times - the "bullies" think they can get away with their actions because they intimidate and threaten - well they picked the wrong family this time! I am a Mom on a mission!

I will always stand up and be counted if ever either of my boys took the wrong turn – that’s the way I am - I punish the boys if they step over the line - I believe they are accountable for their own actions and therefore must be prepared to take the consequences - the motto in our house is

"Commit the crime - do the time"

Both boys know this - they understand the rules and act accordingly - they know what is expected of them - be polite - treat others as you would like to be treated - be kind - be caring - be thoughtful - be honest at all times - have respect for those around you as well as yourself - stay loyal to those who matter.

Loyalty, Truth, Trust and Respect – these are the basic building blocks – the foundations of life in our house - without them you have nothing.

This is how Hubs and I were raised and I don’t think it has done us any harm?
I know that the boys will make mistakes - how else will they learn? They have to find their own two feet and make their own way in life - but Im going to make darn sure they have the best start I can give them.

Thankfully we do not encounter any major problems with either boy’s - they are sensible enough to know what is right and what is wrong - as parents we very rarely have to take action - if we do - then it’s over and done with - matters resolved quickly without fuss - I guess we are lucky?

We are united and we all know the boundaries in life - given J's difficulties it’s been hard for him - but with our input and guidance he is almost there.

Can someone please explain this to me?
Why is it that there are so many children who gain some sort of perverse gratification from bear baiting and encouraging others to abuse, torment and torture another child?
I simply could not understand why this happens?

Bobs occasionally comes home from school and tells me about the playground scuffles between others, that occur - is it testosterone levels kicking in I wonder? - maybe lack of stimulation in the playground creates boredom? - or is it sheer down right nastiness of some? Can children really be born "bad"? I would like to think not!

Over the past few days I really have had my eyes opened - the "Bully" and his henchmen took it upon themselves to create a situation - they plotted and planned – they concocted a series of events – the results of which now means J is nursing a very sore and tender rib cage.

Thankfully for J (and us) this event was witnessed by several people – all of whom have taken the same stance as us – they are prepared to stand up and be counted – they will not shy away from the bullies – they will not let this incident slide in favor of escaping repercussion.
The “Bully” may be big in stature - he may be strong – but he is 12 years of age and firmly believes he is beyond the law!

What shocks me beyond belief is that the parents of the “Bully” have taken it upon themselves to believe that a twenty strong group of witnesses are suffering from some sort of fabrication disease! Thank goodness for CCTV is all I say!!!

I don’t think any parent would want to discover that their child could be so vindictive – so malicious – so bad! I certainly know I would’t.
But I understand now why some children are this way – they aren’t born “bad” – they have simply learnt their appalling behaviour from following the examples set by their parents!

It certainly bamboozles me as to why some parent’s feel they have to protect their child from standing up and speaking the truth! I am perplexed as to what they feel they will gain by doing this?
Are they not teaching their child that it’s OK to lie – even to a police officer? This child is being taught that it’s OK to commit the crime without any fear of punishment because Mom and Dad will cover his sorry little backside and cover up his mess!

I know how it feels now to have such an anger bubbling up inside. I have never before felt the way I feel right now! During my life I have encountered certain situations which have enraged me – I’ve kept my cool – remained silent and let the situation draw to a natural conclusion - but this feeling inside me right now – this is raging!

What is it they say – truth will always prevail? Well we certainly hope so.

So given all that has happened over the past week my creativity has taken somewhat of a back seat. I was feeling ever so slightly as if my Mojo had been sucked away by this rage that burns inside me....but thankfully the old Mojo is alive and kicking – it just needed a few days rest whilst I focused on real life events!
I locked myself away in my little haven and happily created yesterday. I cranked up the music, absorbed myself in my paper and glue and escaped the goings on for a few hours....never before have I needed to lock myself away from the real world as much as I did last night!

Its sort of ironic that my LO for Pencil Lines this week is entitled 2008 Make That Change especially as I created it a few days before the events kicked off!



If only we could all stand up to the bullies and make the changes needed, wouldn’t society be a brighter and happier place?
I'm off to see Mr Plod now - wish me luck - lets hope this incident can be resolved as quickly and as painlessly as possible with those in the wrong willing to accept their fate.

*sigh*

I am not sorry for the ramble, however I am extremely sorry for today's youff - it was never like this in my day - or was it???
Gah! I'm getting old!

T.x.x.x