That's a bunch of BULL-ying...

Is bullying still going on these days? I mean wasn't that something that went out with the ice age? Who doesn't learn about how much damage bullying can do to another person? Who doesn't know this? And if they do, then why in the world is bullying still happening?

I came across a video clip from the other day's feature on Good Morning America. It was about a little middle school boy that joined his school's cheerleading squad. And, how he was so badly ridiculed and tormented that during one of the altercations, another boy threw him down and broke his arm.

Really, because this little boy wanted to be a cheerleader?

He didn't join the squad because he wanted to be girl or anything, but because he liked the tumbling aspect. He wanted somewhere to show off his back-handsprings!

I don't know...maybe I am missing something here. What is the big deal about him wanting to be a cheerleader?

You know I hear a lot of people (including in this video clip) say that "boys will be boys". Again, really? So boys will be boys...and that excuses their behavior? Wow, that is not giving much credit to the male population, young or old, is it?

I have some experience with boys...I have 4 of them (not including my husband) here at home. And, I also have a little girl. I got to tell you, that I don't see it. I just don't. I don't see them settling with being "just a boy". I don't see them give up things that might interest them or be afraid to talk about them for fear that people will make fun of them because of gender stereotypes. I just don't see it.

My boys have taken gymnastics, played with my daughter's dollhouse, and even scrap-booked with me. All stereotypically feminine. They also unload the dishwasher, help with laundry and babysit. Again typically feminine roles.

Not once have they been ridiculed. Or bullied. So maybe it's not the kids...huh? Maybe it's the parents creating the "settling" patterns...maybe instead of saying "boys will be boys" we say something like "you don't have to settle for just being any old average boy" be a leader,  (see my last blog) "A Leader of Good".

You know when you take the BULL out of bully....you just get "y". Why?

"Being a Leader of Good"...

I came across something really special the other day....

I know it won't shock you (the ones that know me) that I came across it while shopping! I was perusing the Girls on the Run website (I am a coach for the program) for some t-shirts, and other items that I needed, and that's when I came across IT...

"IT" was a link to a store named "StinkyKids"...and under the logo/link was a blurb about having shirts that support the Girls on the Run program in which I am a big, big supporter. So of course, I clicked on it....

I expected to find some really cute t-shirts, which I did....but I also found, well, something really special! Something rare....

I found a new way of thinking....something like "paying it forward", but not just one time. It's like paying it forward--everyday, all day long, forever....what a concept!

Guess who is leading this hopefully new fad? Ten cute little characters, each with their own name, personality, and physical differences. They all have different "stories"...sounds sort of similar to each of us, doesn't it? These little characters are aptly named--StinkyKids! (No not because they smell, but because we all have our own lil' stinker kid stories, and so did Britt Menzies their creator!) This website boasts fun interactive games, coloring pages, and a place to write to a character of your choice! Way, way cool!

Not only does StinkyKids have t-shirts with a character of your choice...but it also has a line of the StinkyKid dolls (madamealexander.com), paintings by Britt, and a book, also by Britt due out on November 1st adorably named "StinkyKids and the Runaway Scissors".

Who is Britt Menzies? Well, my idol for one, but she was also a stay-at-home mom, at one time painting cute little pictures of, and for, her daughter. Through wickedly supportive friends, who encouraged her, rather than discouraged her.... she made a concept blossom into a bunch of do-good characters that she thankfully is sharing with the rest of us!

Now....listen as good as that all sounds, it gets even better...

"Always Being a Leader of Good" is the StinkyKids motto or slogan or whatever you want to call it (I call it fabulous!). This is where the "fad" comes in...can you imagine if we were "always being a leader of good"? Can you imagine what life would be like? Dreamy, huh?

In today's age of Ruinscape (online game) and Evony (another online game) as well as a host of others that personify killing and greed, we need something different. Something bigger. Something that teaches morals and values. Something feel-good. Something that our kids can actually model themselves after and for which they really can and will be rewarded in life.

I found that feel-good the other day...I found it through Britt Menzies's StinkyKids. Hey, but don't take my word for it....check it out for yourself at stinkykids.com. And pay it forward today and always, by "always being a leader of good".


Oh, and see if you can guess which of the ten little cuties is my favorite character....