Is Your Child Being Bullied?

Posted By Our Mommy's Links Site Owner, Jen Nevadomski:
Bullying is everyone’s problem… Fighting back, the stakes couldn’t be higher

CBS NEWS presents a 48 HOURS SPECIAL ON BULLYING IN THE DIGITAL AGE, to be broadcast this FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 at 8pm- ”Bullying: Words Can Kill”
See a sneak preview:




Today, I attended a round-table discussion/luncheon with the producers and correspondent of 48 Hours, an amazing panel, and a group of about 15 bloggers to discuss the problem of BULLYING. Thank you to CBS, 48 Hours, and The Role Mommy Network for including me in this discussion. Children in every school in every part of the country need us to help them. As bloggers, we can help spread the word to parents, teachers and friends. As parents, we must do whatever we need to do to protect our children. Children should not live in fear, especially in school. Bullying can begin at a very young age, younger than we might thing. Bullying can end in tragic consequences. It IS our responsibility to help these children.


As a new school year begins across the country, more than 160,000 children will stay home every day because they are afraid of being bullied. That is just one of the startling facts in the CBS News/48 HOURS presentation “Bullying: Words Can Kill.” Reported by correspondent Tracy Smith, the program airing Friday, Sept. 16 (8:00 PM, ET/PT) reveals how the explosion in technology is only making bullying worse, as victims cannot find relief from their tormentors in a 24/7 digital world. The report, with links to the CBS News website, will have important new information for parents, educators and legislators about how bullying affects children and how to address it. Plus, viewers can join the conversation online on Facebook and Twitter.

For six months, producers and camera crews were allowed in-depth access to the classrooms, cafeteria and gym at a Rhode Island middle school that is one of the few in the United States that has openly acknowledged it has a bullying problem and has taken action to address it. The 48 HOURS special documents the real lives of students at that particular school, and has the powerful stories of other young people and their families from around the country who have felt the impact of bullying firsthand.

One constantly harassed 13-year-old told Smith, “They got inside my head. They did it because they knew it would hurt.” His mother said dropping him off at school was like “sending him off to war.” Tragically, more than 150 children have taken their own lives in recent years because they were victims of harassment in school and online.

Among those featured in the broadcast:

Dara Genovese, 13, bullying victim: “If you have ever been bullied, harassed, tortured, which I hope you haven’t, let me tell you, it is the worst. I mean, worst feeling ever.”

“You’re laying in bed and you’re just thinking, like… what would it be like if you’re not here? Like… would it be better? Or, like, would people be happier – or just – just you wonder, you think a lot of questions.”

Johnny Cagno, victim of bullying who attempted suicide at age 14: “When you’re tortured every single day, it gets to you. I was very, very scared to go to school every day.”

Lisa Cagno, Johnny’s mother: “He was hurting himself. He was cutting himself, and he would just (say), ‘I hate myself, I don’t want to live anymore. I hate my life. Nobody likes me, no one cares about me.’ And I just – I would just have to constantly just reassure him. I couldn’t get those feelings out of his head."

Cynthia Logan, a parent who lost her daughter because of bullying: “We have principals in our schools and superintendents who don’t want to acknowledge the problem. They don’t want it to be their problem. I did as much as I could do as a parent, knowing as little as I did.”

This broadcast is produced by Deborah Grau and Judy Rybak. The senior producers are Kathleen O’Connell and Paul Ryan, and Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.

Mommy's Links....Are you a member yet?

I wanted to share with all my blogger friends this great new social network for NY Metro Area Moms!! It's called Mommy's Links! I have been a member from its inception in January 2011 and have watched it grow trememndously. So much so that I decided to help in its quest for greatness. You can find me as a member on the site as Ms.TwoCents, of course! But I am not only a member now, I also the Managing Editor of the site! I would like to invite all you moms to come check us out. And though our events are for NYers, our site is for all moms!

Just a little background on Mommy's Link:

Started in 2010, Mommy’s Links is THE Social Network for New York Metro Moms BY moms, FOR moms. As motherhood is the most rewarding and wonderful job in the world, it can also have its challenges.  We all need a place to go to be ourselves, get and give advice, share stories, make friends, vent, and find a little time in our hectic day for US.  That’s what Mommy’s Links is here for. 

Not only do we have this great social network but we also have an awesome meetup/events group! In our meetup group, we have all events and meetups posted. We also give our members a voice and ask them to make suggestions on meetups and events they would like to see happen! How great is that?

So....take a few minutes and check it out! I know I love it and have become a great supporter! That's my two cents...and they count!!!

Mommy's Links

 Mommy's & Daddy's Links Meetup Group

Back from Hiatus

Hello to all my followers!
I have been a little bit of a hiatus..life of a single mom has been full of changes! Well, I embarked on a new mission...my very own business! You should check it out at www.onceuponacupcakeny.com . I have been busy building a website and baking away.

I decided to make some charitable donations and I have started with a great cause....Cookies for Kids Cancer Organization. My company will be hosting three (3) bake sales, one a month for the next three months. The proceeds will go to benefit children fighting cancer...


I have other projects in the works and will keep you posted as the details solidify.

Happy Blogging!

2011 Is Here and Here Are My Letters

A year ago, I embarked on a blogging adventure and here I am one year later....better than last.

2010 was not ideal for me but it brought me to where I am today. It helped me to grow, though I went through some painful days, it made me realize that my best days are ahead of me. 

So, now here I am 7 days until my 32nd birthday and thinking its time. Time to embark on my future.

I realized that I made some poor decisions over the years and I have a lot to make up for. I wanted to write a letter to those people, you know who you are and why this pertains to you.

I have experienced many things over my lifetime and have come to be who I am today because of all those experiences. Some involved you, some were because of you, some were in spite of you, some were because of your absence, and some were just plain ole stupid. Many times you have reminded me that I am where I am because of myself! I have accepted what I did and regret many things but most of all, I regret never being honest with myself and never realizing that what I wanted and needed were always there. A friend once told me that actions speak louder than words...and I believed that and then I remembered the power of love. Love can be in an action, it can be shown through kisses, hugs, gestures....Love can be spoken, it can be LOUD and ring in your ears with three simple words that are so complex in meaning (I LOVE YOU)...how often do we use those words so simply without merit? When we hang up with our loved one, when we say goodbye, in the thralls of passion....but how often do we say it when it really counts? I missed my opportunity to love you and say it out loud. I'm not afraid of that anymore. I'm ready to love again and be loved in return. I can only hope that the one who is the one...knows it and can say three simple words to me that mean more than an I Love You....those words are...I Forgive You. 

To the others in my life that have been burned in my wrath,

Go! Go forward knowing that I no longer wish you malice. I want the people in my life to be happy and love. Experience life. I want to forgive and not forget....because if I ever forget, I will lose my way and know that I can be pained in such a way. I don't hate you. I just wish you would've known what you caused. But I thank you because without this drama, I wouldn't have found what I know is my happiness. 

God Bless You All...and I look forward to a promising 2011.

Ready To Love Again

Our Decorating Day

This weekend we FINALLY finished decorating the tree and the house. Every day we put it off because it was late and then  we dedicated a day for Christmas! We decorated the tree, the windows, the counter (separated the kitchen from the living room), and then we made homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies! It was a great day!

How are you preparing for the holiday?

The Holiday Season

As this Holiday season is underway, it brings to surface many of things! But this year, this Christmas, I get to start new! Back at home in Williamsburg with my boys and loving my new diggs! Not mention the great friends and family that surround me. I have been in a whirlwind of emotions for the past 3 months, sorting out what is real and what is not. Figuring out where I am in the process and protecting my heart from deceit and betrayal.

I was doing a poor job on that  last one! But then it happened....the moment that everyone said would! The moment when ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The moment when I no longer long for my past and look ahead yet to the wonderful future I can and will have.

So, this Christmas, I open my heart to new things! Tonight, our tree will make its debut! We will celebrate new beginnings, with a new tradition! And GOD, I can't wait.

This holiday season, I will prevail victorious in my quest for Peace of Mind!

Blah...today sucks!

Ugh, today I woke up and my throat was on FIRE!! I think the stress of all the things going on at once is finally catching up to me. I now have less than a week to finish up on my latest project and I don't know how I am going to do it!

Right now, sitting on my laptop and trying to find words is a challenge. My head is clouded by a cold and my mind is emotionally clouded by stress. I am getting things done but today, today, sucks! lol!

Laundry is in the wash, dishes need to get cleaned, garbage needs to go out, phone calls need to be made and here I am sitting in my bed...and I just can't bring myself to move.

Hopefully, dinner will be here soon and it will help me energize for another night of endless tasks....