charliesmum (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
charliesmum) wrote2006-05-09 02:00 pm
charliesmum) wrote2006-05-09 02:00 pm
Entry tags:
Stressball Sally
Yesterday my friend who works for a private children's welfare organization invited Charlie and me to come along with her to this show featuring Stressball Sally. She was taking Devon and his foster-sister Amber, and thought Charlie would like it too. Basically it is a live PSA that teaches children how to deal with the stress that happens in life. This particular show was about Bullies.
Charlie had a great time. He really liked being called upon to answer questions, and, when they asked for volunteers to come on stage and practise the breathing exersises with "Stressball Sally", he was one of the ones chosen. Mostly because he was doing that "oh, oh, oh, Mr Kotter!"* thing and the presenters figured anyone that eager to participate ought to be able to. He did well, except it looked like he was forgetting the 'exhale' part of the exersise. My friend took photos and will hopefully email them to me soon.
It was a nice show, and made good points, but I didn't feel it totally addressed what a person should do when faced with bullies, nor did it address the fact that it is hard for some kids to remember these things when their self-esteem is taking a beating.
Many times I wish I could could back in time and just remind my younger self that no one can hurt me without my permission. I wish I knew back then that the people who took delight in hurting me weren't worth my time, and I shouldn't even want their good opinion. So easy to say when one is a grown-up and far removed from that situation.
*It's a reference from a late 70's sitcom called Welcome Back Kotter. It starred John Travolta. It was a cultural phenomonon. Don't ask me why. Or why people thought "Up your nose with a rubber hose." was funny.
Charlie had a great time. He really liked being called upon to answer questions, and, when they asked for volunteers to come on stage and practise the breathing exersises with "Stressball Sally", he was one of the ones chosen. Mostly because he was doing that "oh, oh, oh, Mr Kotter!"* thing and the presenters figured anyone that eager to participate ought to be able to. He did well, except it looked like he was forgetting the 'exhale' part of the exersise. My friend took photos and will hopefully email them to me soon.
It was a nice show, and made good points, but I didn't feel it totally addressed what a person should do when faced with bullies, nor did it address the fact that it is hard for some kids to remember these things when their self-esteem is taking a beating.
Many times I wish I could could back in time and just remind my younger self that no one can hurt me without my permission. I wish I knew back then that the people who took delight in hurting me weren't worth my time, and I shouldn't even want their good opinion. So easy to say when one is a grown-up and far removed from that situation.
*It's a reference from a late 70's sitcom called Welcome Back Kotter. It starred John Travolta. It was a cultural phenomonon. Don't ask me why. Or why people thought "Up your nose with a rubber hose." was funny.