I was listening to a show on NPR about bullying and heard this quote, wrote it down and it sort of stayed there. On Saturday night, I was watching the news and they noted that within the city limits of Tucson, ten teen suicides in the past year have been attributed to bullying and/ or cyber bullying. Wow. I dug out the quote.
"Gossip is like bursting a pillow on a hilltop. Once the feathers are out, they cannot be gathered up again."
This quote makes me think. When gossipping begins, I want to flee and yet I am not good at saying anything to effectively stop it. Changing the subject hasn't been getting me anywhere, saying to each their own hasn't either. And to be honest, it isn't enough. I recently watched a mom stand up and say enough to talking about a family, and I was so impressed with her ability to do so. I am better at sitting with others and directing my children to not hang out with gossippers than I am at making the "bittys" stop.
I also tried speaking to the parents of one of the youth who has targeted others, including my children, but the parents didn't seem to think it was a problem. So today I ask for all of your input. What would you say or do?
So many of the wonderful people around me have amazing insight, and I hope to learn from all of you. This blog has some great followership, and I look forward to seeing the advice make a difference. Thank you all for helping to make a difference. Hugs to all!
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