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“I Have Mastered Parenting”: Australian Mom Shared Her Daughter’s Response Letter Dedicated To A Bully Who Called Her Fat
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“I Have Mastered Parenting”: Australian Mom Shared Her Daughter’s Response Letter Dedicated To A Bully Who Called Her Fat

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Raising children is a hard job—you have to account for their needs and balance their feelings—but when you throw outsiders into the mix, keeping peace in the household might become a daunting task. However, not everything is a constant struggle, especially if you lay down good foundations for the child to stand on.

That’s exactly the case of a mom from Australia, Mel Watts, and her eight-year-old daughter Ivie, who faced somewhat cruel (if not very intentional) criticism from a classmate. Mel wasn’t a stranger to social media and sharing her mom-woes online, but this time she had a reason to celebrate—her little girl found a brilliant and wholesome way to get her point across and stand up for herself in a civil manner.

A Mom From Australia Shared Her Daughter’s Beautiful Response To Bullying

Image credits: melwatts

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Image credits: Mel Watts – The Modern Mumma

Little Ivie was forced to confront a bully in her class, but she did it with… well, class. Another girl made fun of Ivie’s weight, which stuck with the child. Despite her calm response, the girl likely faced some difficulty since she weighed herself, wondering where her classmate might see a problem with her body.

This Little Girl Was Bullied, But Instead Of Fighting, She Wrote Her Bully A Letter

Image credits: Mel Watts – The Modern Mumma

Ultimately, instead of sticking with the judgment of an outsider, Ivie decided to write her a softly-worded letter in which she explained her point of view and how she didn’t appreciate being judged for a body that she loves, saying “And I keep on weighing myself, but this is my body and I love who I am and I will never change it and I don’t care what other people or you think of myself but I know that my mummy and daddy and family love me.”

A Schoolmate Called Ivie Fat, Which Made Her Weigh Herself And Revaluate Her Self-Worth

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Image credits: melwatts

Mel expressed a concern that she was worried her parenting style wasn’t up to par since she has 4 children, each one is unique, and she didn’t want to stifle or undermine any of them. However, her daughter’s action ended as a confirmation that Ivie knows what she’s worth and is capable of standing up for herself. Mel said, “This letter Ivie wrote to a friend who used an unkind name to describe Ivie, it wasn’t meant in a nasty way, I think it was more of a conversation, but the one word stuck with her.”

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Image credits: melwatts

“I Love Who I Am”: The 8-Year-Old Responded To The Insult By Saying She Loves Herself The Way She Is

Image credits: melwatts

The mom understood the classmate likely didn’t mean to hurt Ivie. The girls reportedly have different personalities and are “learning their way in the world.” Reportedly, the girls are now on friendly terms, having overcome the disagreement. Mel was proud of the intelligent way Ivie solved her issue: “I’m done. I have mastered parenting.”

Image credits: melwatts

The Instagram post garnered 3,000+ likes, while the Facebook post gathered dozens of comments as the support for Ivie came flooding in. Among the comments, there was overwhelming positivity, with people praising the girl for handling the ordeal in a calm fashion. There were also words of praise for the mom, who managed to raise a girl who realized her self-worth and refused to let others diminish it.

Ivie’s Classy Response Received Overwhelming Support From Internet Users

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Lukas Garnelis

Lukas Garnelis

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Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

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Lukas Garnelis

Lukas Garnelis

Author, Community member

Lukas is a photo editor at Bored Panda. 4th year in Vilnius Gediminas Technical University as a graphic designer. Can do whatever he sets his mind to.

Violeta Pročkytė

Violeta Pročkytė

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Violeta Pročkytė

Violeta Pročkytė

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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charysse-scott avatar
Cheezees
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, I'm not as bothered by the descriptor 'fat' as I am about the fact that this little girl isn't even fat.

karenjohnston avatar
Louloubelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First, this is lovely. And yes, mom is crushing the parenting thing. She's raised a thoughtful, intelligent child. I love that the kid didn't just assume that other kid wanted to hurt her. That being said, one of the commenters said something interesting "I hate that kids can be so nasty these days. It wasn't like that back when we were younger". I have no idea when and where she was raised, but I was raised in the 60's and 70's, and I ASSURE you, girls were just as, if not more, mean. And you could get away with it then. That being said, I was a skinny, skinny kid, but I don't remember any adults making an issue of that. Of course there were the kids that would call you a "skinny minny". And god forbid you were overweight. Those kids really took a beating.

megandiffenderfer avatar
fin_evander
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just what I was thinking. It must have also been a lot harder for minorities back then, since people in general were a lot less accepting.

Load More Replies...
blugeagua avatar
blugeagua
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The other little girl was already confirmed by the mom that she was not trying to be rude and just used an inappropriate word that she didn't realize was bad. And BP still refers to her as a bully...

ktigress avatar
K Tigress
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was bullied as a child relentlessly, by my fellow piers and sometimes the school staff. Mostly in grade school. But I did gain some experience over time. I realized that fighting is sometimes necessary but its a last resort to the extremely stupid who just don't have a clue. Ignoring the culprit sometimes works mostly not. Best thing for me was to immortalize the bully in art work. I once made a character portrait illustration of one of my bullies as a Joe camel since that particular bully would spit on me. And you know camels/lamas have a disgusting spitting habit. He was so taken back that he stopped all bulling right then and there. I handed him the portrait and he never bothered me again.

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cute kid! Also give the kid some credit too, not just the mom. She is her own independent person in many ways, like anyone else.

briandurham avatar
Brian Durham
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all just jealousy from other kids because your daughter is happy. Plus, she looks incredibly NORMAL to me. It's awesome that she stood up for herself - but these insults weren't even close. Her attitude is BY FAR SUPERIOR- yet sweet and innocent and not malicious. You, ma'am, are succeeding in raising a strong young woman. Cheers!

janetclarke avatar
Hiker Chick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm...the comment about "no one bullied other kids when I was young"... I was bullied, my siblings were bullied, and our dad was bullied, all as kids, all for our (very similar) looks. Only a person who was actually a bully or who was completely oblivious to their classmates would say that kids didn't used to get bullied. My and my siblings being bullied as kids has absolutely impacted our entire lives, even now that we are middle aged.

cathblack avatar
Catherine Black
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Firstly this little angel is not fat. Secondly well done mama. You are smashing parenting. Thirdly it worries me what this other child is seeing to make her question ivies size? What is she seeing? My children get health checked and told they are overweight or underweight from age 7. I've not signed my last daughter up for it. I will worry about her size IF it becomes appropriate for me to do so. (I'm talking Health needs) We need to let kids be kids and within that comes being mindful of our own behaviours.

billlee_1 avatar
R3belB4nny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is wholesome. I hope to see what the child will become as an adult. <3

dicartwright avatar
Diana Cartwright
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"mastered parenting"? I mean, I'm super happy if this worksfor the little girl, but parenting leads to so many surprises. What works with one child doesn't with the next. No one masters parenting. You either get lucky once you've tried your best, or you don't. Trying your best is the only thing to do.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am fat and you are ugly but I can go on a diet.

mabrown14464 avatar
You are Beautiful
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I mean this is a great story and all, but is anyone going to talk about how that boy was pairing Under Armor with Addidas? (and also what looked like feezys?)

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, nobody is going to talk about some child’s athleisure options. Are you even into fashion? In no way do those look like Yeezys, no iteration of Yeezys are shaped like that.

Load More Replies...
charysse-scott avatar
Cheezees
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, I'm not as bothered by the descriptor 'fat' as I am about the fact that this little girl isn't even fat.

karenjohnston avatar
Louloubelle
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First, this is lovely. And yes, mom is crushing the parenting thing. She's raised a thoughtful, intelligent child. I love that the kid didn't just assume that other kid wanted to hurt her. That being said, one of the commenters said something interesting "I hate that kids can be so nasty these days. It wasn't like that back when we were younger". I have no idea when and where she was raised, but I was raised in the 60's and 70's, and I ASSURE you, girls were just as, if not more, mean. And you could get away with it then. That being said, I was a skinny, skinny kid, but I don't remember any adults making an issue of that. Of course there were the kids that would call you a "skinny minny". And god forbid you were overweight. Those kids really took a beating.

megandiffenderfer avatar
fin_evander
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's just what I was thinking. It must have also been a lot harder for minorities back then, since people in general were a lot less accepting.

Load More Replies...
blugeagua avatar
blugeagua
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The other little girl was already confirmed by the mom that she was not trying to be rude and just used an inappropriate word that she didn't realize was bad. And BP still refers to her as a bully...

ktigress avatar
K Tigress
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was bullied as a child relentlessly, by my fellow piers and sometimes the school staff. Mostly in grade school. But I did gain some experience over time. I realized that fighting is sometimes necessary but its a last resort to the extremely stupid who just don't have a clue. Ignoring the culprit sometimes works mostly not. Best thing for me was to immortalize the bully in art work. I once made a character portrait illustration of one of my bullies as a Joe camel since that particular bully would spit on me. And you know camels/lamas have a disgusting spitting habit. He was so taken back that he stopped all bulling right then and there. I handed him the portrait and he never bothered me again.

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cute kid! Also give the kid some credit too, not just the mom. She is her own independent person in many ways, like anyone else.

briandurham avatar
Brian Durham
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's all just jealousy from other kids because your daughter is happy. Plus, she looks incredibly NORMAL to me. It's awesome that she stood up for herself - but these insults weren't even close. Her attitude is BY FAR SUPERIOR- yet sweet and innocent and not malicious. You, ma'am, are succeeding in raising a strong young woman. Cheers!

janetclarke avatar
Hiker Chick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmm...the comment about "no one bullied other kids when I was young"... I was bullied, my siblings were bullied, and our dad was bullied, all as kids, all for our (very similar) looks. Only a person who was actually a bully or who was completely oblivious to their classmates would say that kids didn't used to get bullied. My and my siblings being bullied as kids has absolutely impacted our entire lives, even now that we are middle aged.

cathblack avatar
Catherine Black
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Firstly this little angel is not fat. Secondly well done mama. You are smashing parenting. Thirdly it worries me what this other child is seeing to make her question ivies size? What is she seeing? My children get health checked and told they are overweight or underweight from age 7. I've not signed my last daughter up for it. I will worry about her size IF it becomes appropriate for me to do so. (I'm talking Health needs) We need to let kids be kids and within that comes being mindful of our own behaviours.

billlee_1 avatar
R3belB4nny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is wholesome. I hope to see what the child will become as an adult. <3

dicartwright avatar
Diana Cartwright
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"mastered parenting"? I mean, I'm super happy if this worksfor the little girl, but parenting leads to so many surprises. What works with one child doesn't with the next. No one masters parenting. You either get lucky once you've tried your best, or you don't. Trying your best is the only thing to do.

dirigobill avatar
Bill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am fat and you are ugly but I can go on a diet.

mabrown14464 avatar
You are Beautiful
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I mean this is a great story and all, but is anyone going to talk about how that boy was pairing Under Armor with Addidas? (and also what looked like feezys?)

mintyminameow avatar
Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, nobody is going to talk about some child’s athleisure options. Are you even into fashion? In no way do those look like Yeezys, no iteration of Yeezys are shaped like that.

Load More Replies...
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