Keep Dale in your prayers!!!

      I am very upset, angry, and in disbelief, but today, Dale BROKE at school, this has been one of my biggest fears.  Dale is in tears and very upset.  He was walked out of school today with two of his teachers, because he BROKE and turned over/threw a desk today at school after one of these same children was picking on him again. They knew that something was going on, because Dale is not this type of child and typically very good, but had no clue as to what was going on.  I had to inform them of the situation since neither the Vice Principal nor the Guidance Counselor had said a word to them.  They said that they are going to them in the morning and they plan on getting Officer Miller involved, because if they do not stop the bullying, they can be arrested!!!            Dale has been crying and refuses to eat, because he is FAT, he is really down on himself, saying things like why do I have to live this way, why is life soooo hard and why does everything bad have to happen to me.  He is scared that he is going to get in trouble and I am too, because what he did was wrong, but he finally Broke like I was afraid was going to happen.  I am glad this is all he did, but this is bad enough.  He is so depressed and I am not sure what to say except that I love him and we will get to the bottom of this together, I want him to know that he is not alone.  PLEASE PLEASE KEEP HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS, he really needs to be lifted up!!! Shelia

Always!

Shelia, I am so sorry Dale is experiencing this.  He has a 2 fold problem - 1st he is going through puberty and 2nd he is being bullied.  Whenever a child is going through puberty and they are experiencing difficulties of any kind that they can't resolve easily, it builds up on me and they start asking some of the questions that Dale is asking, "Why me" Why is life so hard", "Why do I look like this".  And as a parent, it is so difficult to know exactly what to say without adding to their dilemma.  You are doing the right thing by supporting him and providing him with unconditional love and letting him know you will help him with this situation.  Just know that I will continue to have him, you and Todd in my prayers as you all move forward in an effort to find a solution to this problem before it gets really out of hand.  I just don't get parents that don't teach their children better than what these other children are exhibiting toward Dale.  Hang in there my friend - it will get better.

Shelia, you and your family are in my prayers, I have also added you all to the prayer circle with our church.  I can only imagine what you and your family are goingthur, but with God on your side it will be handled.  Love ya and((((big hugs))))) Melissa

Sheila,
Dale is so fortunate to have you and your unconditional support! I will be praying for him and for you.
I will also be praying that the teachers, vice principal and guidance counselor take care of this situation so that Dale can be assured that he is safe!
HUGS!
Betsy

Bless his heart, I so understand.  When I was in school, I was heavier than other kids.  I can remember getting on the bus and kids calling me "thunder thighs" when I walked by.  I ignored it but it hurt terribly.  Children are so cruel sometimes.  I had slimmed down in high school but my best girlfriend was overweight and I came to her defense many times.  Mostly people would say things to her as she walked by and she kept on walking.  But, when I was with her, I would turn around and confront them.  Once they got called out they shut up.  Children as they mature go through this transformation.  I was in junior high with a guy that was short and plump.  He had curly unkept hair and thick glasses and girls would make fun of him.  What a difference a summer made.  We started school for our freshman year and he'd sprouted up, wearing contacts and had his hair all neat.  The same girls who made fun of him were not weak in the knees over him but he paid them no mind.  FYI, he's now a doctor and married.  Kids will go through an awkward stage.  About all you can do is what you are doing in being supportive and keeping communication open.  Outside of that, just encouraging healthy lifestyle for him.  And eventually, he'll sprout up and drop the weight.  Then you will have to beat the girls off him... which is whole other issue. 

Thank you for your words, this is really becoming more than just words, day before yesterday, a child was banging Dale's head into a table, it is beginning to turn violent. (the kid was suspended for one day).   I am just afraid that this has been building up inside my son and it is destroying him.  I am really scared, I just hope they understand the seriousness of this situation.  I know our School Board Member personally, I think I am going to give her a call today, just to see what she can do from her end.

Thanks Betsy,          I am so scared that I am not going to make the right decision and he is so depressed, I am afraid that his esteem ha**** rock bottom.  I sure hope this can get resolved, because it is destroying my son, I mean destroying him!!! Shelia

Thanks Scott! As you know I spoke to Beth yesterday as I got in, just praying that it gets resolved, I have been doing some additional research on the internet and Dale has been showing all the signs that many children that are being bullied express.

How did today go? I have had Dale and you on my mind today...Hope all is well.
Concerned,
Betsy