Dealing with a bully is tough. Almost everyone goes through it in school. There’s always that one insecure kid looking to cause trouble. The advice is usually to ignore it and walk away, but I never could. I always fought back, no matter the risk. It was about defending my honor.
In sixth grade, during lunchtime soccer, a bully tripped me on purpose. Fed up, I tackled him hard. Surprisingly, he apologized later, and we became friends.
In eighth grade, another bully took my basketball and taunted me. I smacked him hard, and he apologized with a wrapped ear.
In tenth grade, a tall bully shoved me while I tied my shoe. I punched him, and we both got suspended. Later, we settled things and moved on.
Online, as my site grew, so did the haters. They bullied me over Twitter and comments.
The lesson? Sometimes fighting back stops the bullying. But if you don’t do it decisively, it might come back worse. Talking calmly to a bully can also work wonders. Ask them sincerely why they’re doing it, and if things can be cool between you.
Bullies often thrive on attention. Catching them alone and having a serious chat can change things. It’s a peaceful way to handle it.
Now that I’m older, with kids of my own, I’m less combative. There’s more at stake. Ultimately, teaching kids to stand up for themselves is important, but there’s a balance. Too much bullying can really harm them.
Have you been bullied? How did you handle it?
