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Overview
A child’s world can have as many problems as that of an adult. We often don’t consider this or are simply unaware. Bullying is a major problem that some children will experience during childhood. Children may choose to hide it, wait it out, or deal with it on their own.
Would you know if your child has a problem with bullying? Bullying consists of an aggressor(s) and a defender(s). It is imperative that adults are vigilant in identifying potential problems. This book addresses real situations that many families experience, and we hope this book is helpful to them.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781504985376 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 03/24/2016 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 24 |
| File size: | 2 MB |
Read an Excerpt
Why Me? ... Why Anyone?
By C. J. Bass, George Víncent Bíen
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2016 Ceslie JenkinsAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5049-8536-9
CHAPTER 1
Ring Ding Ding Ding Ding! Ring Ding Ding Ding Ding! The alarm sounds waking mommy bright and early for Christina's first day of school. Mommy goes to Christina's room and sings the usual wake up tune, "It's time to wake up; it's time to get ready. We have to get dressed for school. I know you're still tired but it's time to wake up, wake up Christina! It's time to wake up for school!" Christina really doesn't like it when mommy sings "The Wake Up Song", but she admits that it's catchy; and it does get her up. Christina is nervous and excited about her first day of school. Once mommy and Christina are all dressed and ready, mommy notices that Christina looks worried. "What's the matter Christina?" asked mommy. No matter what Christina tells mommy, mom can always tell when something is on her mind. Christina replies, "Nothing is wrong, mom. I'm just a little nervous." Christina was honest with her mother and told her how she was feeling.
Mommy cuddles her big girl and says, "Christy, it's natural to be nervous on the first day of school. You're not really sure what to expect, but remember you felt the same last school year and you had a terrific year." Christina did have a good school year last year, but there was a problem that Christina never mentioned to her mother. The problem from last school year has Christina worried today. The problem is there is a bully at her school. Christina managed to make it through the entire school year with little interaction with the bully, but she feared that one day the bully will begin to pick on her and her friends. Christina is a very caring, kind, and beautiful girl inside and out. She has many friends and has learned to stay away from kids that are not very nice to others. She just doesn't understand why everyone can't get along and play together.
Mommy gets Christina and her little sister into their car seats and buckled. Christina's little sister, MacKenzie, goes to pre-school. Christina believes MacKenzie has it far easier being a pre-schooler than a big kid. Mommy is singing on the drive to school, MacKenzie is playing with a toy and Christina is still worried. When they arrive at the school, mommy helps the girls out of the car. Mommy and MacKenzie walk Christina to her new class. Mommy says, "I know you are nervous sweetie, but try to stay calm. You'll make lots of friends, but remember school is for learning. Try to focus on the lessons and your teacher. You will have a great day, your angel is watching over you. I love you and I'll be here to pick you up at 2:15." Mommy kisses Christina on the cheek and MacKenzie waves bye-bye to her big sister.
As Christina enters her classroom, she is greeted warmly by her new teacher, she sees a few familiar faces from last year, and then ... it happened. Ashley, the bully, is also in her class Christina is immediately terrified. She is relieved to know that they have assigned seats and she isn't seated near Ashley. Christina thinks to herself that maybe things will be okay as long as she's away from Ashley. The children were preparing to go to the cafeteria for lunch, when Mrs. Martin, their teacher, announced that they are allowed to sit with their friends for now. Christina immediately got excited because she has several good friends in her class. In the cafeteria, Ashley sits with Christina and her friends. They were all very nice and polite to Ashley, but she was very mean and demanded some of their lunch.
The girls each gave Ashley something from their lunch in hopes that she would leave them alone. At recess, Ashley just stared at Christina in an intimidating manner. It made Christina feel very uncomfortable, but she walked over to Ashley and asked, "Would you like to play with us? We are playing tag and it is boys against the girls." Ashley snapped, "No! No, I don't want to play with you! I want you to stay away from this side of the playground! This is my side and you better not come over here again!"
Christina, being a sensitive and kind-hearted person, began to cry. This made Ashley feel great. Christina had unknowingly made a big mistake by little Ashley see her cry. When Christina went back to her friends, they asked her what happened. Christina replied, "I just hurt myself, but I'll be okay. You guys go ahead and play without me." Christina's friend Kaitlyn said, "Christy, I know you didn't hurt yourself and I saw you with Ashley. What happened? Tell me what happened with you two Christy!" Christina, trying to control her tears, said to Kaitlyn, "I was trying to be nice to her. I asked her if she wanted to play with us and ... and she's just so mean!"
After recess, the children had two more subjects for the day and then it would be time to go home. When the bell rang, the children were released to their parents in an orderly fashion. Christina was really happy to see her mommy, "Mom! Mommy! Mommy!" she said as she ran to her mother. Mommy was surprised to get such a greeting and said, "Wow Christy, you must have had a great day! Tell me about it." Christina told her mom all about what she learned at school, music class, her sweet teachers and having her best friends in her class. She decided not to tell mommy about Ashley. During the car ride to MacKenzie's pre-school, all Christina could think about was Ashley and wondered if the rest of the school year would be like today. She thought to herself, "Why me?"
Christina and MacKenzie had blast in the bathtub. Their giggles and laughter could be heard in the other room. They needed to hurry in the tub or they would miss their nightly phone call from daddy. Daddy is in the military and is away from home. When daddy calls, he speaks to both girls and then asks Christina about her first day of school. Christina told him everything that she told her mom and did not mention Ashley. After the girls talked with daddy, it was time for bed. Mommy told Christina and Mackenzie to say their prayers and then get into bed.
While the girls said their prayers, mommy thought she heard Christina say, "Why is this happening to me God? Why does it have to happen to anyone?" When mommy came in the girls' room to kiss them goodnight, she asked Christina what she meant by, "Why it's happening" and what was happening? Christina didn't say anything about Ashley, she told her mother that she was just really tired and was ready to go to sleep. Mommy laid with the girls until both were asleep. She said her own prayer over them, kissed them gently on the cheek, and quietly left the room.
As time went on it was the same thing with Christina and Ashley. Ashley picked on Christina because she knew her weakness since the first day of school. She used the weakness to tease Christina every day. Christina's friends did defend her but soon they received the same treatment as Christina and by this time Ashley had a group of her own. Christina decided that day that she would tell her mother what was happening at school. When mommy came to pick her up, she could see that something was wrong. "Christina, what is it? What happened at school today? Please tell me why you're upset!" Mommy's questions only made Christina more upset and she didn't say anything. Mommy says, "Okay Christina, I can see that you are upset. I'll wait until you calm down and then you can tell me later if you're ready, deal?" Christina is delighted her mom understands she is upset and is willing to listen to her when she's ready to talk about it.
Later that night at bedtime, Christina waited for her mommy to check on her and Mackenzie. She decided tonight will be the night she tells her mom about Ashley's bullying. Mommy enters the bedroom and Christina jumps up and says, "Mommy, I need to talk to you about something. But I want you to LISTEN only mommy, until I finish saying everything." Mommy agrees to not say a word until Christina gives the green light. Christina begins, "Mom, I have a problem at school. There is a girl who picks on me and my friends. It started the first day of school and it's been happening every day since then. She takes our lunch, teases us, and is very mean to me and my friends. I was trying to be nice to her, but she's just so mean mom. I have trouble with reading and she makes fun of me. I have trouble with math and she teases me about that. Why is this happening to me mom? Why me ... why anyone? Why can't we all play together and be nice? Okay mommy, you can answer my questions now."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Why Me? ... Why Anyone? by C. J. Bass, George Víncent Bíen. Copyright © 2016 Ceslie Jenkins. Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
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