tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post5860446805069160214..comments2024-03-27T06:09:04.368-04:00Comments on Blogging, Near Philadelphia: Eleven or TwelveNancy Near Philadelphiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08803134620826322075noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-33012111782425945672008-11-27T17:25:00.000-05:002008-11-27T17:25:00.000-05:00This post struck such a chord in me. I didn't lik...This post struck such a chord in me. I didn't like my jr. high years much either and would NEVER want to go back but there isn't any real reason. <BR/>In Japan the peer pressure is enormous on jr. high students. Not just studying (these are considered the hell years for getting into high schools) but also peer acceptance pressures. SO many kids in Japan commit suicide about this time. Really. Bullying is a major problem Being ostracized. <BR/>I was also interested in how you got the dean involved and how all members were going to discuss the problem. Again. No way in Japan. Always a "wait and see" attitude and sometimes it ends tragically.Tanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00858446371419879296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-67817416423482610112008-11-25T12:01:00.000-05:002008-11-25T12:01:00.000-05:00Nancy that was so sweet. I wish someone had done t...Nancy that was so sweet. I wish someone had done that for me! the way you described that little girl- that's exactly what my junior high years were like for me. (need proof? i was voted "most likely to get lost in their locker" because of my size. I was once at a friend's house and her older brother and their friends were throwing the girls into the pool, and the one said, "you get the puny one," referring to me. sigh...)Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13369558937776987035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-83645458966504643612008-11-23T19:29:00.000-05:002008-11-23T19:29:00.000-05:00For whatever reason, (you know I've always been ba...For whatever reason, (you know I've always been backwards--must be the left-handedness!) Junior High was the BEST for me. Elementary school sucked, bigtime, as my kids say today. Junior High was when I finally emerged. Which, at Abington, was a good thing, since Glenside Weldon was one of the smallest schools and while I was there I gained the confidence I needed to survive a High School of 4000 people. Even if one of them was Bob Sagget.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-76326530766104314492008-11-23T05:24:00.000-05:002008-11-23T05:24:00.000-05:00Nancy that was a good thing you did for that young...Nancy that was a good thing you did for that young girl...my daughter had problems at that age - girls can be so nasty.....didn't notice it at all with my sons.....and mobile phones have a lot to answer for I think...I love them...but it makes it easy for kids to be "nasty" to each other sometimes ..... a text or call is easier than facing someone!! I am with you - I wouldn't be that age again for anything!Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02464945754300570558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-55169506529672616132008-11-22T11:22:00.000-05:002008-11-22T11:22:00.000-05:00You are so compassionate Nancy. What you did for ...You are so compassionate Nancy. What you did for that young girl is something she will remember for the rest of her life. We don't forget it when someone reaches out to us when we are having our lowest moments. Also, the plan to get her together with the other girl will teach both of them negotiating skills that will be forever useful.<BR/>I have always said I would never be 12 again either. My body betrayed me by sprouting strange protruberances and attracting way too much attention, when all I wanted to do was sit in the corner reading a book and munching apples.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09440749267288259866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-90008893287592186872008-11-22T09:49:00.000-05:002008-11-22T09:49:00.000-05:00Oh I was so on the other side of things but still ...Oh I was so on the other side of things but still left out because I was overdeveloped and smart. The girls were horribly mean by making up stories of me the Slut. The boys made stories because of the girls stories. Man I would never ever wish to go back to that place and time. I ended up being angry and mistrustful for a long long time. The teachers didn't know what to do about the sexual slurs and harassment so they ignored it. Blessings to you for opening the door for this young lady.Lynn Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053207260739287519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-19764388279659306722008-11-22T08:41:00.000-05:002008-11-22T08:41:00.000-05:00Blessed to be a blessing, that's you! I remember t...Blessed to be a blessing, that's you! I remember those horrible days of Jr. High, I'm with you... wouldn't go back for nuthin!Mrs. Goodneedlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07453388163219666450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-82979613726527184852008-11-22T06:52:00.000-05:002008-11-22T06:52:00.000-05:00How wonderful that you were there for this young g...How wonderful that you were there for this young girl. Junior High can be a horrid place and an even more horrible time for kids. I'm so glad that I'm past that age and that my girls are as well. I'm 48 and last year when I would have to go and pick up my youngest at the Jr High School, that same feeling of insecurity would wash over me...lolranettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17925261347750036721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-20888134538104094202008-11-22T00:40:00.000-05:002008-11-22T00:40:00.000-05:00Nancy,I do hope that you are feeling better.What a...Nancy,<BR/>I do hope that you are feeling better.<BR/>What a lovely kindness you showed towards this young woman.It is a difficult age those middle years.<BR/>We all need kindness whether we are 10 or 92- you helped her save face with the world around her.<BR/>Thank you for showing her caring and kindness in a world that sometimes does not have time for such things.<BR/>Regards,<BR/>Annaquiltmom annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01976120921532056369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-51954956634173202332008-11-21T23:06:00.000-05:002008-11-21T23:06:00.000-05:00I haven't popped in for while and am sorry to lear...I haven't popped in for while and am sorry to learn that you have been so miserable. Years ago I learned the hard way to avoid most "cold" medications because any cough suppressant resulted in long-term bronchitis. My magic formula when I have a cough now is guaifenesin (just the cheapest house brand) expectorant to keep the mucus in my lungs moving freely and ibuprofen to knock down the "itis" (inflammation). Seems to keep my comfortable while the virus runs its course.<BR/><BR/>For what it's worth.<BR/><BR/>Hope you feel yourself soon.debijeanmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02013078885836658259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-62666724140391814872008-11-21T22:59:00.000-05:002008-11-21T22:59:00.000-05:00One alternative is to do what I did, live in my mi...One alternative is to do what I did, live in my mind so much that I was isolated from all that. Thank goodness that marching with the band helped me break out a little, although I am still terribly uncomfortable in social setting of just about every kind.<BR/><BR/>I hated middle school so much that I decided to teach eighth grade, hoping to help someone a little along the way.debijeanmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02013078885836658259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-41678454527545718102008-11-21T13:48:00.000-05:002008-11-21T13:48:00.000-05:00Nancy,Good job with this young woman. You may nev...Nancy,<BR/>Good job with this young woman. You may never know the impact you can make on a child, by just listening. <BR/>Junior high/middle schools are horrid! If one is minutely different from the herd, then they are picked on, ostracized or worse. Like you, I would not take a million dollars to be in junior high again. Or high school. <BR/>But you did a really good thing today.<BR/><BR/>Kathy B<BR/>school nurse :-))Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-20376041307949605662008-11-21T13:06:00.000-05:002008-11-21T13:06:00.000-05:00My youngest has been going through something simil...My youngest has been going through something similar this week - the problem has been compounded by the fact that the school is very small and there are only 8 girls in her year of 31 kids. The school has been magnificent which is no more or less than we have come to expect and receive. You're so right I'd hate to be a 12 yo girl again. Without sounding glib we also have the kind of relationship with our kids that they'll happily come straight home and tell us what's worrying them - long may that continue. Girls can be so beastly. Your input into your situation will have made a huge difference to her and hopefully the meeting with the dean between the girls will make all sides look at things from all viewpoints. Our school has an active policy on this kind of thing which is called restorative justice and is being adopted throughout the county schools for all matters trivial and more serious. Communication counts for such a lot and should always be encouraged. I hope things work out for her :o)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08352283065863856112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-26130683331004376572008-11-21T12:05:00.000-05:002008-11-21T12:05:00.000-05:00This is a time filled with bad memories for me - I...This is a time filled with bad memories for me - I know that. Its written in my journals. <BR/><BR/>But for some reason I look bad and the first thing I know for sure is that my parents loved me. I look back and I really <I>get</I> that and nothing else seems to matter. Everything's washed away.<BR/><BR/>Do you think that's the hand of God? I just wonder...*karendianne.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15557033346962825857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27429478.post-13144725027488894422008-11-21T11:21:00.000-05:002008-11-21T11:21:00.000-05:00this could have been me, accept when I whas 11 or ...this could have been me, accept when I whas 11 or 12, there whas no one who took me into their office and talked with me, let me cry and patted my back.... You did a marvelous thing in this girls life, you showed her that even when you think your world is falling down,breaking appart.. there is still someone out there who cares enough about your wellbeing.... thank you for taking this girl into your office.... she could have been me<BR/><BR/>hugs from the Netherlands<BR/>Winda aka DutchQuilter aka (*ΓΌ*)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com