
Birthdays are a big deal. When you’re older not so much so, but when you’re turning nine for example it’s a huge event. So it’s natural to want to celebrate, maybe even have a party. Problem is that if you are being bullied it won’t seem like that. If you are having friends over you worry, what if no one turns up? Or you want to feel terrific but there are people who are deliberately trying to ruin your special day.
Competition shouldn’t come into it. But it often does. Who holds the best parties or has the most friends?
Or, it may not be your birthday but someone else’s. You are the only one not invited to a group outing and that is very painful.
How about the person that says they are going to come round, and they don’t show. So that no one else will want to go either.
At Act Against Bullying we’ve heard just about every combination of birthday spoiler tales.
Which is why I was delighted to read the story of Ollie Hope-Smith launched the following appeal Chris Hope-Smith, from Leeds, launched an appeal for messages for his son Ollie, who is nine on July 5.
He wrote: “The bully keeps saying to him that everything O has, he has bigger/better/more often. O excited for his birthday but keeps being told it won’t be as good as his own.
“I would be so grateful and I appreciate it is an odd request. Just would love someone to tell him he does mean something and bullying is not ok, ever.”
It was good to see the support the message brought from people all over the world, including former prime minister David Cameron and Tim Peake
We would like to add our happy birthday wishes as well.
Remember, birthdays are special. Don’t let anyone spoil them.
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