When she was only nine, a little girl started to believe that her worth was nothing. It did not happen all at once. It began quietly, with words from classmates that chipped away at her confidence. Every insult about her face, every cruel nickname whispered in the hallway, turned into a small scar she carried inside. For years, she didn’t realize she was being bullied; she just thought she was the problem.
Growing up in the 90s, conversations about mental health were rare. The anxiety she felt was brushed aside as shyness or sensitivity. The bullying started with small comments but became relentless teasing about her appearance. She remembers the first time someone called her “untouchable,” a word that settled into her mind like a stain she couldn’t wash off. By middle school, her self-worth had faded. Her reflection became her enemy.
She developed cystic acne and minor skin infections that made her an easy target for cruelty. Her classmates found new names for her, turning her face into their favorite joke. Yet, at home, she had parents who noticed. They saw the pain behind her silence and offered love when the world did not. Their support became the one thing that kept her from losing herself completely. Looking back as a mother now, she sees how early child bullying can shape a person’s sense of identity. When she looks at her own nine-year-old son, she feels a mix of heartbreak and determination. No child should ever believe they are worth nothing. And yet, so many do.
She learned to recognize the subtle signs of a child being bullied—the ones that hide beneath quiet words and forced smiles. A missing backpack or broken toy might not seem like much, but it can be a sign. Headaches or stomachaches before school, a loss of appetite, sleepless nights, or avoiding friends are often silent cries for help. Grades may drop, laughter may fade, and suddenly, the child who once loved going to school begs to stay home. She never once considered suicide, but she saw what it did to others. After losing relatives and friends to it, she understood how permanent that kind of despair could be. She made a promise never to let her pain reach that point, and now as a parent, she hopes to help other children make that same promise.
She remembers the day in fifth grade when classmates locked her out of the bathroom, saying she was too ugly to look at herself in the mirror. She cried on the walk home, humiliated and scared. But once she stepped through her front door, she felt safe again. Her mother listened without judgment and helped her find small ways to rebuild her self-worth. It started with talking about dreams beyond school and imagining a life where she wasn’t defined by cruelty.
Now as a mother of three, she uses those lessons to guide her children. She teaches them daily affirmations to remind them of their value. Her boys stand in front of the mirror each morning and say things like “I am smart,” or “I am a good friend.” She reminds them that home is always a safe place, where they are loved and understood. Her youngest child, a little girl, is already learning that beauty comes from kindness and confidence, not perfection. The mother knows how dangerous it can be when a child begins to see themselves through the eyes of bullies. So she replaces those voices with words of encouragement, grounding exercises, and empathy.
Her message to other parents is simple: be your child’s advocate. Ask questions, talk to teachers, and listen carefully. Children who are being bullied often hide it out of fear or shame. What they need most is to feel believed and supported. Remind them that home is a place where they are safe and loved. Today, she tells her kids to look for the good in others and to be brave enough to stand up for anyone being bullied. She knows they might make mistakes, but she also knows that kindness can be learned. She hopes every parent will teach their child to value themselves, protect those who cannot defend themselves, and never let cruelty define who they are. Every child deserves to know that they are enough.
