A Chicago-area mother is speaking out after witnessing what she describes as ongoing bullying targeted at her daughter, Piper, during and after a recent basketball game.
In a strongly worded post shared publicly, Roxanne Marcella McCullouch detailed the pattern of behavior she says has been building for some time, behavior she believes stems from jealousy because Piper is dating someone.
McCullouch explained that while she respects her daughter’s independence and maturity, she has grown increasingly frustrated with what she calls the “snarkiness” and disrespect from three girls who have repeatedly picked on Piper.
According to her, the conflict escalated the night of the game.
McCullouch wrote,
“While leaving Piper’s basketball game tonight, I just watched the snarkiness of one of those girls,” . “Piper does not talk back, but all I’m saying is if your daughter comes home tonight saying that an adult said something to them, you might wanna check your ‘little lady’ and teach them respect and manners.”
Roxanne Marcella McCullouch
The mother emphasized that Piper has handled the situation with restraint and maturity, choosing to walk away rather than engage.
But after seeing the continued mistreatment firsthand, McCullouch said she decided as a parent, she is giving Piper full permission to defend herself physically if one of the girls attempts to touch her. She continued,
“Piper teaches by example and ignores them and walks away,” “But I am giving her full permission to end the bullying if one of those girls touches her. Period.”
Roxanne Marcella McCullouch
Her post sparked reactions from other parents who shared similar concerns about school and extracurricular bullying, particularly among adolescent girls.
Many expressed frustration with the social dynamics that often form at this age, dynamics that can quickly escalate into harassment.
Carri Gruver Waack wrote,
Mean girls raising mean girls…it’s a thing!!!
Carri Gruver Waack
Another parent, Sasha Bodkin, described her family’s own challenges with bullying and the emotional toll it took on her daughter, Liv.
She explained that her daughter also tried to walk away and avoid conflict, but eventually reached a breaking point.
Sasha Bodkin from Iowa wrote,
There is sooo much bullying and drama it’s sad.Kids these days are sooo bad 🙁 Liv finally stuck up for herself and these girls have been leaving her alone. I don’t deal with it either, we’ve been to the school a few times and livs gotten suspended twice. Once last year girl hit her first and Liv had enough and got her back a few times. Then this year just a verbal match but she could’ve gotten a week out of it. Sucks they get punished for sticking up for themselves. But we will support the whole don’t throw the first but throw the last. Liv always walked away but her anxiety and depression was getting sooo bad and it was a battle no kid should have to go through .She gets great grades and is a great kid and student too. Hoping something gets done and they leave piper alone.
Sasha Bodkin
Bodkin said that while her daughter is a strong student and generally well-behaved, the constant verbal and social pressure led to severe anxiety and depression, issues she believes no child should have to endure simply for defending themselves.
Another parent, Krystle Dearth, stated that while her children haven’t yet experienced situations like this, she and her partner teach them a similar philosophy.
She commented,
We say the same thing. Not that we’ve experienced this really yet but we are ones who teach never make the furst move but make the last move if nothing is done about the situation. Sad that we have to teach our children this cuz of the way others act.
Krystle Dearth
Dearth also acknowledged the uniquely intense nature of conflict among adolescent girls, remarking, “Girl drama is the worst. Them girls can be lil’ b’s especially when girls and boys are intersted in each other.”
The conversation even drew worried reactions from parents with younger children who fear they may face similar challenges in the years ahead.
Kelly Neyens admitted she feels apprehensive about future conflicts involving her daughters, Nina and Nora.
Some commenters even expressed a readiness to intervene in support of Piper. Chelsea Dean wrote,
Who’s ass are we kicking??
Chelsea Dean
In response, McCullouch clarified that she intends to remain calm for now, noting she knows at least one of the other girls’ mothers.
She said she plans not to escalate the situation unless necessary, especially since Piper has been quietly dealing with this behavior for some time.
For now, McCullouch says she hopes the bullying stops before it reaches that point. But she made clear that Piper’s safety and dignity come first.
