My first daughter was born in December. The very END of December in fact. I didn’t actually mind that much, it gave us a few months of “indoor” time to work out the kinks of having a new baby, so that by the time spring arrived I was a master at managing her and ready to get outside.
Preschool was never a problem, and it was only as the registration dates for kindergarten were approaching that people started asking us if we were going to “hold her back” a year, since her birthday was 2 days shy of the New Year.
There was never a thought in my mind to do this. Not only did I have full confidence in her abilities, I was keenly aware of the struggles I had in school, and how they were all related to one main thing.
I was tall. Very tall. A “giant” almost. i went through my entire life being called “big” even when i was less than 100lbs and 5’9.
My little “December” baby, despite being younger than the rest of the kids in her class, was already the tallest, and my immediate instinct was to ensure she embraced her school years without having to endure the battles I experienced.
She is now in Grade 7, and perfectly brilliant, never once feeling the “strain” of being the youngest (well, except for the fact that her classmates are turning 13 and getting FB accounts and she STILL has to wait).
Of course, she is fighting her own battles, of this I am sure. We all do, in our own unique ways, and all we can ask is for support to push through them, coming out on the other side stronger and more capable than we started.
Tomorrow, February 17th, Malls across Canada will be hosting a #PinkShirtPromise event, where they are inviting community members, schools and dignitaries to write a promise to help end bullying and post their positive message on the Post-it Pink wall near the food court.
I am THRILLED that there are TWO Vancouver Island locations participating this year, and hope that some of you will have the chance to head out and make YOUR #PinkShirtPromise.
For every promise posted on the wall from February 17 to 24,Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo will donate $1 to the United Way of Central & Northern Vancouver Island up to $5,000 to help end bullying in our community.
Likewise, in Victoria, where Mayfair Mall will donate $1 to the United Way of Greater Victoria up to $5,000 to help end bullying in our community.
On February 24, Pink Shirt Day, Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo and Mayfair Mall in Victoria, will again invite everyone to wear a pink shirt to support the cause, and take part in the #PinkShirtPromise group photo near the wall in the food court at 9:30 am.
For those who can’t attend the live events, you can still participate in the online campaign. Each promise made using the #PinkShirtPromise hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook will be eligible for a chance to win an ET Canada Experience, which includes flights for two to Toronto and two nights hotel accommodation, and a $1,500 dollar shopping spree at participating shopping centres.
Bullying, whether online, at school, or at work, affects people of all age groups, backgrounds, and genders. According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 40% of Canadian workers experience bullying on a weekly basis and 47% of Canadian parents report having a child victim of bullying.
We have all been touched by bullying in some sort, and many are still affected. With this one simple act you can start to bring the conversation forward, and support organizations passionate in ending bullying.
Learn more about the #PinkShirtPromise campaign in YOUR community here!