[justamom]

Just a couple of days ago, three kids were outside shooting hoops. One boy in particular was saying "mean" things to the other boy. "Hey John, did you know your nose is really big?", He makes a basket and says "It loves me, it loves me". The same boy replied "Well, that's the ONLY thing that loves YOU John." Mindless banter between the guys? Maybe, except there is something "off" about the boy and. he IS their target. I don't know for sure if it's all physical or if he isn't also slightly mentally impaired. That's not important. I know there is a degree of teasing that goes on between friends, but you never know when something you say hits a very deep, private "hurt".

When I was a kid, I had BIG TEETH. Yes, I was called chipmunk-buck tooth. My parents told me I would "grow into them." I did around 7th grade and at that point, they became one of my best features. Still, it took YEARS for me to get rid of that image of myself. So, take all the litle girls and boys who are BRUTALLY teased and the pain must be so intense it could stick with them a lifetime. When my son was in 4th grade, he said a horrible thing to a little girl. I took him into the garden-told him bad words and bad deeds were like weeds. We had to pluck them out before the beauty of our own garden was overrun by uglyness. We worked for 2 hours. He never again teased anyone in a spiteful way, but he got it back (Karma) because he didn't have a growth spurt till his Junior year. He's was lucky in the sense he was really quick and funny. Others teased for the same reasons didn't fair as well. I just don't think there is an ounce of good in hurting another person in the guise of "It's for your own good."