Bullying is a serious problem and it affects many children from the time that they are very young. As a matter of fact, it not only happens in the schoolyard but it also follows many adults around his life as well. For youngsters, the desire to follow along with the crowd and the potential for being cruel can often be overwhelming. Before they know it, they are picking on other children and sometimes, it is the children who are different that take the brunt of the abuse.
The children who do these things don’t always mean it. They just don’t have the experience in life to hold back from saying what is on their mind. It is their ability to observe the world around them and the fact that they just say whatever they feel like saying that often puts other children at a disadvantage. Of course, the way the children act is not only dependent on themselves, it is also dependent on the parenting that they receive.
Cindy Clawson is a school bus driver and she was alarmed when she saw two students doing something out of the ordinary. They weren’t making fun or bullying a boy with a disability, they were doing something unexpected.
Those children, who were a brother and sister, became friends with the young boy and made him feel special. They had him sit with them, offered to help him when he was on the bus and talked to him about what was taking place in his day. To Cindy, it was absolutely clear that they were being shown the right way to treat people by their parents.
Cindy didn’t want to let this opportunity go. She realized that the parents needed to know about their children, Annaliese and Jorge. That is when she decided to write a letter to the parents and send it home with the children.
She also shared it to a popular Facebook page. It read:
“I am compelled to write to tell you how beautiful your children are, inside and out! This can only come from the home, your patience and guidance, the examples that you set and teach.
I have a child on my bus named Jackson. Both of your children have showed him so much compassion and support. Every day your children ask if they can sit with Jackson.
Some days Jackson is a little sad getting on the bus but as soon as he sees Annaliese and Jorge he smiles. Jackson has difficulties walking and it takes a bit for him to get to his seat.
Today Annaliese looked out from around her seat and said, ‘come on Jackson, you can do it” and when we arrived at school, Jackson took it upon himself to carry out his backpack!
I know you know how wonderful your children are, but I wanted you to know that it shows!”
The parents were absolutely thrilled to hear that their children were doing the right thing. They loved the fact that they were paying attention to the lessons they were taught and applying it when dealing with a young boy.
We also intend to focus on the negative things in life. All you need to do is look a little and you will see that there are also some very positive things to focus on as well. That includes children like Annaliese and Jorge, who are worthy of imitation and certainly are an inspiration.