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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A video of a 2nd grade student confidently telling her mom how she responded to bullies has gone viral on Instagram, amassing 8.5 million views.
The footage shows Emmie Droubay, 7, walking alongside her mom, Maren, 32, as she explains an interaction that took place at her new school.
According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, bullying is among parents’ top concerns for their children, according to a fall 2022 Center survey of parents with children under 18. About a third (35 percent) of U.S. parents with children younger than 18 say they are extremely or very worried that their children might be bullied at some point.
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Newsweek spoke to Maren, who recently relocated from Utah to Brooklyn, New York, about the clip titled: "My daughter's response to a group of girls who were being mean to her."
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She said: “When Emmie was experiencing some mean words from other girls at school such as ‘I don’t like you.'
“One would typically expect a child her age to retaliate with mean words in return, or perhaps to feel small or begin crying and back down or feel bad about herself.”
Instead, Emmie chose a different response.
“My family thinks I’m a princess and I am super kind and nice,” the 7-year-old says in the video shared to @marendroubay.
“But if you don’t think that, that’s OK because that’s what I think of myself and that’s who I actually am.”
She concludes by saying: “I know who I am and I know that I am a sweet little princess and so kind.”
Droubay told Newsweek: “I was majorly impressed, touched, and cried happy tears as she relayed her story to me."
Navigating a New School and ‘the Ups and Downs of Girlhood’
Droubay explained that the family’s move has not been easy for her daughter, who is adjusting to new surroundings and friendships.
She said it has been “tricky” moving state and making new friends, and that Emmie has had to navigate the “usual ups and downs of girlhood.”
It was something Droubay said she worried about long before Emmie was born.
“Ever since I found out I was having a daughter, I have been nervous about how she would navigate her world, knowing how hard it can be to be a woman and compare yourself to others,” she said.
From an early age, Droubay said she and her family worked to instill confidence and kindness in their daughter.
“From a young age, we have always called Emmie our princess, and encouraged her to ‘have courage and be kind’ like Cinderella,” she said.
“I’m so grateful that those lessons and words of love have stuck with her.”
Internet Praise Pours In
Since being shared on March 5, the video has received more than 722,000 likes and over 10,000 comments, with viewers praising both Emmie and her mother.
“She repeats what she hears and learns from the way Mom talks about herself. You’re such a good Momma, Maren!!” one user wrote.
Another agreed: “She’s so smart and kind, and you’re an incredible mama.”
A third commenter added: “32-year-old man. I don’t even have this kind of self confidence and self awareness. Kudos to you guys.”
A fourth wrote: “That strong sense of self-trust isn't built overnight! Kudos to you and your little princess.”
As the video continues to circulate, many viewers say Emmie’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the impact positive self-talk and encouragement can have—especially at an age when confidence is often tested for the first time.
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