10-Year-Old Gets Bullied For His Halloween Costume, Mom Responds To The Bullies With This Post
Here are some obvious truths that we wish didn’t need repeating. Words really do hurt. Bullying is never acceptable. And last but not least… making fun of someone’s Halloween costume is simply unacceptable!
Proud mom of four and supportive parent Jill Stahl Struckman from Missouri shared the story about how her son, 10-year-old Evan, became a victim of bullying because of the costume he wore for his school’s Halloween party. Evan decided to come dressed as genius, billionaire, and philanthropist Tony Stark, aka Iron Man (and personally one of my favorite superheroes of all time). However, some meanies on the bus made fun of him and brought him to tears.
However, things eventually turned out well and the story had a wholesome, happy ending. Scroll down to read what happened in mom Jill’s own words. The posts immediately went viral and brought out the very best in the internet, with many folks sending Evan their love and support.
Most of us know who Tony Stark, aka superhero Iron Man is. Genius, billionaire, philanthropist—he’s hard not to love
Image credits: Paramount
10-year-old Evan dressed up as Tony for his school’s Halloween party and really got into his character
Image credits: jill.struckman
Image credits: jill.struckman
Image credits: jill.struckman
Image credits: jill.struckman
We think that Evan looks just like Tony. Don’t you agree?
Image credits: Paramount
Unfortunately, things took an unexpected turn when Evan got on the bus
Image credits: jill.struckman
Thankfully, supportive mom Jill helped sort everything out and Evan’s costume was back on track
Image credits: jill.struckman
Image credits: jill.struckman
Image credits: jill.struckman
The response from the internet has, frankly, been utterly amazing
Image credits: jill_struckman
Jill shared some of the lessons that her son learned after becoming a victim of bullying
Mom Jill shared a very fun fact about Evan. He was so in his character that he’d only answer to ‘Tony’ or ‘Mr. Stark.’ We think that he’d give any actor a run for their money with that level of dedication.
Unfortunately, things turned sour when the 10-year-old got on the school bus. After being called names and having his awesome costume criticized by his peers, Evan went to the school bathroom and washed off Stark’s rad goatee. In fact, he was so upset he didn’t want to go to the Halloween party anymore. However, Jill showed just how kind, supportive, and caring she really was and managed to salvage the situation.
After a long heart-to-heart at a local cafe, the mom convinced her son to go to the school party. Jill helped redo his makeup and drove him to school in her car. It only makes sense that Tony Stark rides around in the best-looking cars. It’s part of his character, like his smarts and his beard.
The response to Jill’s Facebook posts has been utterly incredible. She’s had messages of support from all over the globe. Quite a few people were also considering sending Evan some financial support, but mom Jill pointed out that it’s not necessary. However, if you do want to send him a card, here is their address:
Jill Struckman
PO Box 362
Cottleville, MO 63338
Evan also learned some important lessons for the future about how important it is that we pick and choose our words carefully because we never know who we might accidentally hurt with them. He also learned to be tougher and not care about other people’s opinions so much (a skill that I’ve yet to master).
Image credits: jill.struckman
Jill told Fox that Evan is a kid “who always put himself out there” and even wears a business suit or a tuxedo every picture day at school.
“Every year, I’m worried all day that he’s going to get picked on. And he just usually doesn’t care. He gets looks and whatever, but for the most part, it’s positive. It’s just never an issue,” the mom told Fox.
According to Jill, the kids on the bus told her son, ‘You look stupid,’ ‘Everyone is going to think you look stupid,’ and that everyone was supposedly going to make fun of him. At the cafe, Evan admitted that he thought the costume “looked awesome.”
“I said, ‘Well, you did look awesome. You did look awesome, you know you looked awesome. So you’re letting the words of just a few people, you’re letting that define you?’” Jill shared what she told her son. With the 10-year-old inspired, the mom-son duo rushed back home, redid his makeup, and jetted back to school. Even ended up having a great day, meanwhile, his mom feels a tad overwhelmed by the number of messages she’s been receiving from everyone.
“It would have been easier for him to come home. But I really felt like if he doesn’t get back in there, then he’s not going to be the kid who puts himself out there anymore. This is going to change him. He’s not going to wear the tuxedo or the business suit on picture day. This is going to change him, because he, at that point, he’s let what others think of him define him. He’s just brave. I’m proud of him for going back.”
Bored Panda spoke about bullying earlier with Kidscape, a UK-based charity. According to Lauren Seager-Smith, the CEO of Kidscape, bullying can happen for a variety of reasons.
“Bullying is never acceptable,” she said that kids may be bullied for their family situation, their names, wearing glasses, being overweight, or pretty much anything else.
“Never underestimate the impact of bullying, understand what your child needs to feel safe and if the bullying is in school—make sure you let the school know the impact of the situation,” Lauren said.
“You may also want to seek out opportunities to build your child’s confidence and assertiveness skills so they can feel proud of who they are.”
Here’s how some people reacted to the story that quickly went from sad to wholesome
Is it really necessary to publicly post a photo of your child at one of his lowest moments? It would've been bad enough if just the story about his humiliation blew up & was read by everyone, but his mom went one step further & shared that photo of him crying with the entire world. What kind of parent is like "Hey, I know you've just been bullied so bad all your happiness & excitement has been completely crushed out of you, but look at the camera so I can make a viral Facebook post!" I'm glad he was met with nothing but kindness & support from online, but I strongly believe kids shouldn't be posted on social media until they're old enough to make their own account & understand the dangers of the internet. Even if he agreed to the photo, he's 10 & distressed! He doesn't understand what posting that photo can mean! He's going to look back on this & be so embarrassed that the whole world saw him on his worst day ever. Not everything needs to be shared online. Give the poor kid some privacy.
I read the article again & realized this "mom" 1) shared a public written account of her child's distress, at a time when he isn't capable of properly deciding if HE wants it shared with the entire world 2) added insult to injury by posting a picture of him upset & crying for everyone to stare at & repost, something he'll no doubt be humiliated by later, especially if his bullies catch wind 3) gave away their damn address to the whole world, at the point when the post is so popular she can't possibly know who will see it. Wow. Just wow.
Load More Replies...As if he hasn't been embarrassed enough, good ol' mama bear puts photos of his crying face online.
But hey, at least she got those ever important likes!
Load More Replies...It's kind of ironic for Bored Panda to have an article saying "making fun of someone’s Halloween costume is simply unacceptable!" then the article right below is "check out these Halloween costume FAILS!" lol...
According to what I saw in that list, no children were harmed in the making fun of failures. Some images were contributions from the folks who failed (they misunderstood costume themes, made bad pumpkin carvings, etc.).
Load More Replies...Parents need to stop doing this nonsense. Kids can be cruel, and that is the truth and a fact of life. It isn't newsworthy, and now your kid's crying face is all over the internet. You think the teasing is bad now? Just wait until his classmates get a load of this. Raise your kids to have self-confidence so they can take the knocks that are coming their way. That is life, and life gets a whole lot harsher than kids laughing at your Halloween costume. Parents, handle these moments privately at home, soothe your kid's hurts, cheer them up, then dust them off and help them get back up. Don't teach your kid that every little hurt they get is going to be soothed by the outpouring of cards, outrage, and gifts from strangers. This outrage we are supposed to feel all the time over every little transgression in people's lives is beyond tiresome at this point.
Why does this feel more like a humblebrag that they're rich? Also, not cool to post your kid at his most vulnerable all over the internet for attention.
I'm having a hard time believing this kid is the victim of bullying and not just reaping the whirlwind of him bullying others before. The kid that lives in the swank house and gets driven to school in a mercedes and looks like a tiny child model, those are not the kids that get bullied. Those are the ones that typically do the bullying.
Load More Replies...Bullying in any shape or form is absolutely deplorable and this young boy looked absolutely brilliant in his costume. I'm glad that he had the courage in his heart to rock that amazing costume and go back to school and have a great time at the party. However, something about his mom posting his photograph at an incredibly vulnerable moment and sharing his name for all the Internet to see just really does not sit well with me. Perhaps I'm old school, and just not big on social media, but something about the post seems slightly off to me.
When will parents understand that posting this on the web for everyone to read is a form of bullying as well. Now there are photos of your kid at 10 with red eyes and a story about how he was bullied and cried. Do we really need to post every humiliating moment of our children's lives. The internet is PERMANENT
i understand all this but does this kids learn how to deal with asshole? when he'd be all grown up would he run to his mommy if someone be mean with him? i wonder if people don't overprotect their kids these days. i have kids too and i even asking that question for myself. Where i protect and where i stop so my kids can learn to take care of himself? i don't want them to grow older and don't be able to deal with such situation themselve.
Foam-padding the world and controlling language so people don't get their feelings hurt seems to be the way these days. All it does is create broken and mentally stunted adults with no coping skills that think they are the center of the universe. True character is in rare supply these days, and it is a shame.
Load More Replies...Not dissing the kid, but I am rolling my eyes at the mom. "This boy is tough!" No he's not, he got called stupid once and had to have mommy pick him up from school and take him for ice cream because he was crying so much. This boy is a marshmallow, and she's spoiling the heck out of him while also capitalizing on his brief misery. She could have given him a pep talk over the phone, instead she swoops in and take him out of class, after claiming she didn't have time to drive him. Apparently she found time for Starbucks and a photo shoot outside the school. BTW, TERRIBLE parenting, posting your kid's photo, pictures of their school, and address, even just a PO box. Also, donations??? Who hears "this kid got made fun of for dressing like a billionaire" and immediately reaches for their wallet? Especially after the photo of him in a Mercedes? It's a great costume, and I'm sure he's a good kid, but this is a poor parenting story.
OK first off bullying isn't good but the kids weren't bullying, bullying is something done repeatedly not to mention it's not healthy for him to get that upset and call his mum when something as small as that happened. Big deal...
You people are unbelievable: we just can't win if we do or if we don't. Here we have a lovely story about a woman who backed up her child, helped him find inner strength, and make his own decisions. And people are bullying her for that. Clearly the boy is aware that she has taken the picture, and I am imagine that she told him that she was going to post the story. Boy, I would have given a million dollars for a mother like this.
Kids got a cool costume and all-but really, taking a pic of your kid CRYING to share with random STRANGERS and POST it on FACEBOOK??
I dont think every traumatic moment in someones life needs to be shared with the rest of the world, even if its just for words of encouragement from strangers. But in regards to the child being bullied, I think he made a great Tony Stark. But news flash kids are assholes and they are usually being brought up by bigger assholes.
Yes: EVERYONE has to be aware words can hurt. But EVERYONE must be educated in a way the least hurt them.
Considering they type of person who idolizes Tony Stark (Stark, not iron man), that he had to have a parent pick him up immediately after arriving at school, the casual name drop on the type of car they have, the trip to Starbucks to make a ten year old feel better, and the mommy blogging.....I think it's safe to say most of the kids think he's a wanker.
Maybe mom didn't want the 'likes' for herself. Maybe she thought if her son could read the kind things others said, it would take the sting out of what the other kids said to him. Maybe she thought it would help make her son feel better....why is that so bad? If A kid ends up in the background of a picture that makes the paper it's interesting, if a kids photo is on facebook it's treated like a calling card for pedophiles or something. Maybe his mom was able to make her sad child feel better, and this was how....I don't understand the mom shaming going on here.
is THAT it???? i wish i got "bullied" like this when i was his age i have a skin condition and when i was his age a few of the kids in my class spread it round the entire school that i was contagious so everyone avoided me like the plague even some of the teachers believed it and it didnt stop until the school nurse eventualy researched it and handed fliers around to everyone in the school saying that they wouldnt catch anything from me seems like moma "cotton wool and buuble wrap" needs to join reality
Thankfully the nurse did something to help you....... Thankfully the nurse didn't think you needed to toughen up and learn to deal with it...right?
Load More Replies...NOTHING is wholesome about e way the USA "celebrates;' Halloween'. it ias a pre Christian festival about Ghosts and Ghoulies at best. And trick or treating should be absolutely banned. Not to mention that WHY for Halloween (For Satan's sake) let your son go to school dressed as a "Superhero TV actor???" If he really really wanted to dress up (because the school called for it) why not something actually "Halloween" related??
You give out toothbrushes and pennies for halloween don't you?
Load More Replies...I'm not saying it's right but all kids will be bullied at some point and for the very unfortunate like myself will be bullied a lot. Rich or poor it will happen I feel bad when I see any kid cry. Donating things is kind of unfair to the person taking their time and heart sending it to the kid.
I'm crying with how MEAN kids can be....those little shite's need to get an education on how words can be VERY bad....people have lost family and friends to being bullied. Mum handled it awesomely and this young man is amazing for going back that day and showing that the bully's will not win
10 Year olds or even anyone should never have to experience that WORDS WILL HURT those bullies should be taught a lesson
That kid looked AMAZING in that costume. All those bullies should get what is coming to them! Wtf.
Ya, ice cream will make it all better MOM! This is probably one of those moms that uses her kids to get attention. Munchausen syndrome by proxy
Congratulations Cathy Carey, you've WON THE INTERNET for the dumbest and most inappropriate post imaginable. Well done I'm sure that your mom would be very proud of you if she were to read this post and your comment.
Load More Replies...“Hang on sweetie, mummy’s just going to post a photo of you crying 😊” /s
You seem nice. Do you have a list of kids that should be bullied, so we don't make mistakes?
Load More Replies...Is it really necessary to publicly post a photo of your child at one of his lowest moments? It would've been bad enough if just the story about his humiliation blew up & was read by everyone, but his mom went one step further & shared that photo of him crying with the entire world. What kind of parent is like "Hey, I know you've just been bullied so bad all your happiness & excitement has been completely crushed out of you, but look at the camera so I can make a viral Facebook post!" I'm glad he was met with nothing but kindness & support from online, but I strongly believe kids shouldn't be posted on social media until they're old enough to make their own account & understand the dangers of the internet. Even if he agreed to the photo, he's 10 & distressed! He doesn't understand what posting that photo can mean! He's going to look back on this & be so embarrassed that the whole world saw him on his worst day ever. Not everything needs to be shared online. Give the poor kid some privacy.
I read the article again & realized this "mom" 1) shared a public written account of her child's distress, at a time when he isn't capable of properly deciding if HE wants it shared with the entire world 2) added insult to injury by posting a picture of him upset & crying for everyone to stare at & repost, something he'll no doubt be humiliated by later, especially if his bullies catch wind 3) gave away their damn address to the whole world, at the point when the post is so popular she can't possibly know who will see it. Wow. Just wow.
Load More Replies...As if he hasn't been embarrassed enough, good ol' mama bear puts photos of his crying face online.
But hey, at least she got those ever important likes!
Load More Replies...It's kind of ironic for Bored Panda to have an article saying "making fun of someone’s Halloween costume is simply unacceptable!" then the article right below is "check out these Halloween costume FAILS!" lol...
According to what I saw in that list, no children were harmed in the making fun of failures. Some images were contributions from the folks who failed (they misunderstood costume themes, made bad pumpkin carvings, etc.).
Load More Replies...Parents need to stop doing this nonsense. Kids can be cruel, and that is the truth and a fact of life. It isn't newsworthy, and now your kid's crying face is all over the internet. You think the teasing is bad now? Just wait until his classmates get a load of this. Raise your kids to have self-confidence so they can take the knocks that are coming their way. That is life, and life gets a whole lot harsher than kids laughing at your Halloween costume. Parents, handle these moments privately at home, soothe your kid's hurts, cheer them up, then dust them off and help them get back up. Don't teach your kid that every little hurt they get is going to be soothed by the outpouring of cards, outrage, and gifts from strangers. This outrage we are supposed to feel all the time over every little transgression in people's lives is beyond tiresome at this point.
Why does this feel more like a humblebrag that they're rich? Also, not cool to post your kid at his most vulnerable all over the internet for attention.
I'm having a hard time believing this kid is the victim of bullying and not just reaping the whirlwind of him bullying others before. The kid that lives in the swank house and gets driven to school in a mercedes and looks like a tiny child model, those are not the kids that get bullied. Those are the ones that typically do the bullying.
Load More Replies...Bullying in any shape or form is absolutely deplorable and this young boy looked absolutely brilliant in his costume. I'm glad that he had the courage in his heart to rock that amazing costume and go back to school and have a great time at the party. However, something about his mom posting his photograph at an incredibly vulnerable moment and sharing his name for all the Internet to see just really does not sit well with me. Perhaps I'm old school, and just not big on social media, but something about the post seems slightly off to me.
When will parents understand that posting this on the web for everyone to read is a form of bullying as well. Now there are photos of your kid at 10 with red eyes and a story about how he was bullied and cried. Do we really need to post every humiliating moment of our children's lives. The internet is PERMANENT
i understand all this but does this kids learn how to deal with asshole? when he'd be all grown up would he run to his mommy if someone be mean with him? i wonder if people don't overprotect their kids these days. i have kids too and i even asking that question for myself. Where i protect and where i stop so my kids can learn to take care of himself? i don't want them to grow older and don't be able to deal with such situation themselve.
Foam-padding the world and controlling language so people don't get their feelings hurt seems to be the way these days. All it does is create broken and mentally stunted adults with no coping skills that think they are the center of the universe. True character is in rare supply these days, and it is a shame.
Load More Replies...Not dissing the kid, but I am rolling my eyes at the mom. "This boy is tough!" No he's not, he got called stupid once and had to have mommy pick him up from school and take him for ice cream because he was crying so much. This boy is a marshmallow, and she's spoiling the heck out of him while also capitalizing on his brief misery. She could have given him a pep talk over the phone, instead she swoops in and take him out of class, after claiming she didn't have time to drive him. Apparently she found time for Starbucks and a photo shoot outside the school. BTW, TERRIBLE parenting, posting your kid's photo, pictures of their school, and address, even just a PO box. Also, donations??? Who hears "this kid got made fun of for dressing like a billionaire" and immediately reaches for their wallet? Especially after the photo of him in a Mercedes? It's a great costume, and I'm sure he's a good kid, but this is a poor parenting story.
OK first off bullying isn't good but the kids weren't bullying, bullying is something done repeatedly not to mention it's not healthy for him to get that upset and call his mum when something as small as that happened. Big deal...
You people are unbelievable: we just can't win if we do or if we don't. Here we have a lovely story about a woman who backed up her child, helped him find inner strength, and make his own decisions. And people are bullying her for that. Clearly the boy is aware that she has taken the picture, and I am imagine that she told him that she was going to post the story. Boy, I would have given a million dollars for a mother like this.
Kids got a cool costume and all-but really, taking a pic of your kid CRYING to share with random STRANGERS and POST it on FACEBOOK??
I dont think every traumatic moment in someones life needs to be shared with the rest of the world, even if its just for words of encouragement from strangers. But in regards to the child being bullied, I think he made a great Tony Stark. But news flash kids are assholes and they are usually being brought up by bigger assholes.
Yes: EVERYONE has to be aware words can hurt. But EVERYONE must be educated in a way the least hurt them.
Considering they type of person who idolizes Tony Stark (Stark, not iron man), that he had to have a parent pick him up immediately after arriving at school, the casual name drop on the type of car they have, the trip to Starbucks to make a ten year old feel better, and the mommy blogging.....I think it's safe to say most of the kids think he's a wanker.
Maybe mom didn't want the 'likes' for herself. Maybe she thought if her son could read the kind things others said, it would take the sting out of what the other kids said to him. Maybe she thought it would help make her son feel better....why is that so bad? If A kid ends up in the background of a picture that makes the paper it's interesting, if a kids photo is on facebook it's treated like a calling card for pedophiles or something. Maybe his mom was able to make her sad child feel better, and this was how....I don't understand the mom shaming going on here.
is THAT it???? i wish i got "bullied" like this when i was his age i have a skin condition and when i was his age a few of the kids in my class spread it round the entire school that i was contagious so everyone avoided me like the plague even some of the teachers believed it and it didnt stop until the school nurse eventualy researched it and handed fliers around to everyone in the school saying that they wouldnt catch anything from me seems like moma "cotton wool and buuble wrap" needs to join reality
Thankfully the nurse did something to help you....... Thankfully the nurse didn't think you needed to toughen up and learn to deal with it...right?
Load More Replies...NOTHING is wholesome about e way the USA "celebrates;' Halloween'. it ias a pre Christian festival about Ghosts and Ghoulies at best. And trick or treating should be absolutely banned. Not to mention that WHY for Halloween (For Satan's sake) let your son go to school dressed as a "Superhero TV actor???" If he really really wanted to dress up (because the school called for it) why not something actually "Halloween" related??
You give out toothbrushes and pennies for halloween don't you?
Load More Replies...I'm not saying it's right but all kids will be bullied at some point and for the very unfortunate like myself will be bullied a lot. Rich or poor it will happen I feel bad when I see any kid cry. Donating things is kind of unfair to the person taking their time and heart sending it to the kid.
I'm crying with how MEAN kids can be....those little shite's need to get an education on how words can be VERY bad....people have lost family and friends to being bullied. Mum handled it awesomely and this young man is amazing for going back that day and showing that the bully's will not win
10 Year olds or even anyone should never have to experience that WORDS WILL HURT those bullies should be taught a lesson
That kid looked AMAZING in that costume. All those bullies should get what is coming to them! Wtf.
Ya, ice cream will make it all better MOM! This is probably one of those moms that uses her kids to get attention. Munchausen syndrome by proxy
Congratulations Cathy Carey, you've WON THE INTERNET for the dumbest and most inappropriate post imaginable. Well done I'm sure that your mom would be very proud of you if she were to read this post and your comment.
Load More Replies...“Hang on sweetie, mummy’s just going to post a photo of you crying 😊” /s
You seem nice. Do you have a list of kids that should be bullied, so we don't make mistakes?
Load More Replies...
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