22 Comments

    • melissa

      It is broken. I don’t believe it was meant to do harm but when we try to make blanket policies such as this there will be unintended consequences. Thank you for reading and commenting! God Bless!

    • melissa

      I’m so sorry your child has had to endure the pain that bullying produces! Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!

  1. Wow, I never looked at the Zero Tolerance policy this way. From the perspective of a “girl mom”: I know my youngest daughter is afraid of getting involved because she wants to avoid conflict. I never thought about it being a way to avoid getting in trouble at school, too. However, she is very empathetic and will reach out to comfort others like you mentioned. I really believe teaching our children empathy is so important! We will pray through the Scriptures you shared as we discuss having courage to stand up for the rights of all people. Thank you for this post!

    • melissa

      I’m glad you found the post thought provoking. The policy clearly was not intended to harm but unfortunately there have been some very real unintended consequences. Thank you for reading and commenting! God Bless!

    • melissa

      I agree Anne. It is hard to raise boys in a world that seems to be so against them right now! God bless you and your son! Thank you for reading and commenting!

    • melissa

      It is an important topic. God’s word tells us to take for others around us yet many school systems are putting policies in place that are in direct opposition of those teachings. In society we are dealing with much higher instances of apathy than ever before. Thank you for reading and commenting! God Bless!

    • melissa

      Thank you. It has been a difficult issue for so many kids that I see. Thank you for reading and commenting! God Bless!

  2. So very interesting. Our society does not know the difference between peacemakers and peacekeepers. Peacemakers bring truth into the situation and sometimes have to use violence. Policemen and soldiers are peacemakers. Peacekeepers want peace at all costs. That never brings peace, just resentment and turmoil.

    • melissa

      Such and accurate distinction! Unfortunately we also see how hostile our society is towards our peacemakers, too. It is sad and attempting to be instilled in our children at a young age. It is important that we teach our children God’s desires for us at an even younger age. Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!

  3. I have a son, in fact he is my only son out of 5 children. As a mother I have done my best to instill in my son (and daughters too) to be bold and courageous to always stand up for those that are not able to or don’t know how to for themselves. And I also believe that it is extremely important for them to share what is going on with myself or anyone of their siblings. Thank you for the practical tips that you provided =)

    • melissa

      It sounds like your five children are very blessed to have you for a mommy! These are absolutely conversations to be having with our children from a young age. Thank you for reading and commenting! God Bless!

  4. Good information! I especially like what you said about sons. Society does seem to treat men differently and it is overflowing into our boys think and act.

    • melissa

      Thank you, Sasha. It is sad how our son’s are being treated in an attempt to raise up girls. Thank you for reading and commenting! God Bless!

  5. It is so sad that in essence we are teaching people to mind their own business instead of standing up and helping the weak! The latter is exactly what we need to do. Great tips!

    • melissa

      Thank you! This can be a difficult topic as it flies in the face of what society is telling our young people to do. Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless!

  6. I like your use of Scripture to show why we should stand up for the underdog. I am a grandma with seven grandsons. I’ll pass the wisdom along to their moms.
    I am also an author of a youth biography of a man who stood up for those in need,
    Simon Kenton, frontiersman. This biography shows Simon’s belief in Providence
    and his later conversion at a camp meeting. Would you be willing to review it if I
    sent you a copy?
    Karen

    • melissa

      Hi Karen! I’m glad you found the post beneficial and I’m honored that you would pass it along to your family. Yes, I would be willing to review your book. I might even get my 8 year-old son involved! Thank you for stopping by Karen and for reaching out. God bless!

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