Floored
I’m skipping my blogging challenge for now because I just have tho get this off my chest.
My daughter, who is 15 years old, the prime age for fragility and insecurities, was given some “advice” today by a boy on basically how she can improve her appearance. For her sake, I won’t repeat what he said, but as she told me what he said - her voice quivering as those hurtful words poured out, I felt my jaw get closer and closer to the floor. She told me she couldn’t even respond to him she was in such a state of shock - she just ran to the bathroom and cried.
How can anyone be so insensitive and cruel? What gives him the right to point out her flaws so arrogantly? She told me up until today - she actually liked the guy - but now? Even if he tried to talk to her again, she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Supposedly, he tried apologizing later - gee asshole, why don’t you think before you speak? The damage is done.
I remember 15 - vividly. I was extraordinarily sensitive, insecure, had low self-esteem...all of it. If anyone said to me what was said to her, I think I would’ve ran in search of the nearest bridge to hurl myself off from it. I still can’t fathom this. I’m fully aware kids are bullied, I’ve never experienced that with my own children. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to watch your kids suffer through that. This was an isolated incident, and after telling her friends about and receiving assurances from them that he’s being a dick, she seems to be at the point to be able to blow it off - somewhat. It’s not so easy for me. When it’s your child, there’s something primal that kicks in - to protect anytime they’re sick, injured, hurt - or have their ego blown out of the water.
I hope he realizes the harm he’s caused. I hope he pauses to think the next time he decides to give a girl advice. I hope someday he gets a taste of his own medicine. I hope he regrets. But...that’s not in my control. All I can control is preparing my girls (I have a 9 year old daughter as well) for the uglies of the world. To foster strong and healthy confidence in themselves - that they’re the most beautiful creatures in the world - and it’s not because of how they look.
My daughter, who is 15 years old, the prime age for fragility and insecurities, was given some “advice” today by a boy on basically how she can improve her appearance. For her sake, I won’t repeat what he said, but as she told me what he said - her voice quivering as those hurtful words poured out, I felt my jaw get closer and closer to the floor. She told me she couldn’t even respond to him she was in such a state of shock - she just ran to the bathroom and cried.
How can anyone be so insensitive and cruel? What gives him the right to point out her flaws so arrogantly? She told me up until today - she actually liked the guy - but now? Even if he tried to talk to her again, she doesn’t want anything to do with him. Supposedly, he tried apologizing later - gee asshole, why don’t you think before you speak? The damage is done.
I remember 15 - vividly. I was extraordinarily sensitive, insecure, had low self-esteem...all of it. If anyone said to me what was said to her, I think I would’ve ran in search of the nearest bridge to hurl myself off from it. I still can’t fathom this. I’m fully aware kids are bullied, I’ve never experienced that with my own children. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have to watch your kids suffer through that. This was an isolated incident, and after telling her friends about and receiving assurances from them that he’s being a dick, she seems to be at the point to be able to blow it off - somewhat. It’s not so easy for me. When it’s your child, there’s something primal that kicks in - to protect anytime they’re sick, injured, hurt - or have their ego blown out of the water.
I hope he realizes the harm he’s caused. I hope he pauses to think the next time he decides to give a girl advice. I hope someday he gets a taste of his own medicine. I hope he regrets. But...that’s not in my control. All I can control is preparing my girls (I have a 9 year old daughter as well) for the uglies of the world. To foster strong and healthy confidence in themselves - that they’re the most beautiful creatures in the world - and it’s not because of how they look.
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