Sometimes you set an example for your kids. Other times, they set one for you.

We try really hard to teach the kids about bullying.

About how it takes many forms.

About how even if you are not the one doing the actual bullying, but standing by and watching it happen, that you are doing it too.

We have impressed upon the kids that you do the right thing.

No matter what.

That you stand up for the person being bullied. Even if nobody else does.

But you never know what your kids will do.

You never know if they will have the guts to back up the person being picked on.

Peer pressure is tough.

A couple days ago the swim team sent out an email regarding its policy on bullying.

I didn’t know if it was standard procedure or if there had been an incident.

And I did have a moment of anxiety.

Did Number 3 or 4 do something? Are they the cause of this email?

Last night as I was walking out of swim practice with Number 3 and 4, a dad ran up to me.

“I just wanted to tell you something,” he said.

“Another parent told me the other day that some kids were saying something about a boy on the team, and that Number 3 stood up for him and defended him. I just thought you’d like to know that.”

Number 3 did do something.

He did the right thing.

He was standing right next to me when that dad so awesomely shared this information with me.

I thanked the dad and gave Number 3 a big hug.

We walked out to the parking lot. Number 3 paused after a few steps and looked at me.

“Mom!” he said, with a big smile on his face.

“Yeah?” I answered.

“I’m a hero,” he proclaimed.

“Yes. Yes you are,” I told him.

And with that, my hero and I headed to the car.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!!!

All you need to do is click on the banner above to register a vote for me! 

You can vote one time every 24 hours from every computer and cell phone! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! I really appreciate your support!

Check out and “like” the not-your-average-mom.com facebook page!

Follow me on Twitter @mom_not_average