This message also needs to be sent to the parents of the witty shadows of bullies. Which is where those of us with kids probably come in. After all, I was the

This message also needs to be sent to the parents of the witty shadows of bullies. Which is where those of us with kids probably come in. After all, I was the same shadow for a time... and I think many smart kids are, especially after doing a stint in that awkward phase and then realizing that they are, in fact smarter than their tormentors. My folks are smart and admit to having been bullied and using wit to deflect it, but I was never cautioned against bullying others; it was just assumed that I'd do what it took not to be a mark. And so I need to admonish my kids not to compromise like I did... because we all know that the 10-year-olds that we parent and influence probably won't figure this out until maybe it's too late for some other kid.