Ever heard the saying, “high school is the best years of your life.” I am going to let you in on a little secret. They were not the best years of my life. I was involved in various clubs and organizations in high school which I still hold as some of the best experiences of my life and I had some amazing friends—one friend that I am in fact still very close with to this day. But, I was bullied in high school. And I have never forgotten it.

Of course, I didn’t call it that—“bullying.” And honestly, I don’t think I have ever called it that until I wrote this blog. I just felt targeted by what in my mind I called, “the mean girls.” Thankfully these 3 girls were never physical with me and I also avoided cyberbullying mainly because I didn’t have a cell phone (or even a computer) back then.

Fortunately, I had enough positive support in my life at home and through my friends that this group of girls did not “take me down emotionally.” But, if I had not had such amazing support and a wonderful circle of friends to offset that negativity, I am not sure how well I would have weathered my time in high school with those three girls. They were nothing if not relentless.

High school (and middle school) are very challenging years as kids try to figure out who they are and where they are going in life. If you add a bully to that delicate life period and the kiddo has little or no support system to back them up, the impact of a bully can be detrimental. I am so thankful that while I was trying to “find myself” and navigate high school, I had plenty of people around me cheering me on and helping me get through that season—a season that seemed so much bigger and more emotional back then than it does now—which is how many people describe their high school years.

If you are a parent, please have a conversation with your child about bullying—including what it is and who to ask for help if it occurs. And if you don’t feel prepared to have this or any other difficult discussion with your child, please let us come alongside you and help. At Life Enhancement Counseling Services we have seasoned therapists that can help you address bullying, sex, drugs and any other important issue or mental health issue regarding your child. Please contact us at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment.