Take Steps to Stop Bullying

Bullying is a serious matter even kindergarten and elementary school children may be faced with. “Children and adolescents who are involved in bullying (either as an aggressor, as a victim, or both) put themselves at risk for a number of emotional and behavioral problems, now and in the future, and require support to learn how to develop healthy relationships.” To see an extensive list of dangers from bullying see this.

This problem is not limited to school age kids. It impacts health, safety, and well-being of individuals of all ages and radiates out to the nation and world we live in.

October is National Stop Bullying Month and your chance to Go Blue! Celebrate Blue Shirt Day®World Day of Bullying Prevention™ on October 2, 2017 by wearing your blue. Find out where and when additional October activities are being sponsored in your area and take part. Do your share to raise awareness about bullying prevention. If your town or city doesn't have activities on the calendar, take the lead and organize one.

Here's a description of bullying from the National Crime Prevention Council 

Bullying is:

·       Fighting, threatening, name-calling, teasing, or excluding someone repeatedly and over time

·       An imbalance of power, such as size or popularity

·       Physical, social, and emotional harm

·       Hurting another person to get something 

What Can You Do to Reduce Bullying?

Read on to discover many tips and ideas to help you. Credit Goes to the American Psychological Association at https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/bullying.aspx, Here's their contact info: 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242  | Telephone: (800) 374-2721; (202) 336-5500 | TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123

Bullying: How parents can take action to prevent bullying

 

"For the Parents of kids being bullied:

Observe your child for signs they might be being bullied

Children may not always be vocal about being bullied. Signs include: ripped clothing, hesitation about going to school, decreased appetite, nightmares, crying, or general depression and anxiety. If you discover your child is being bullied, don’t tell them to “let it go” or “suck it up”. Instead, have open-ended conversations where you can learn what is really going on at school so that you can take the appropriate steps to rectify the situation. Most importantly, let your child know you will help him/her and that they should try not to fight back

Teach your child how to handle being bullied

Until something can be done on an administrative level, work with your child to handle bullying without being crushed or defeated. Practice scenarios at home where your child learns how to ignore a bully and/or develop assertive strategies for coping with bullying. Help your child identify teachers and friends that can help them if they’re worried about being bullied.

Set boundaries with technology

Educate your children and yourself about cyberbullying and teach your children not to respond or forward threatening emails. “Friend” your child on Facebook or Myspace, and set up proper filters on your child’s computer. Make the family computer the only computer for children, and have it in a public place in the home where it is visible and can be monitored. If you decide to give your child a cell phone think carefully before allowing them to have a camera option. Let them know you will be monitoring their text messages. As a parent, you can insist that phones are stored in a public area, such as the kitchen, by a certain time at night to eliminate nighttime bullying and inappropriate messaging. Parents should report bullying to the school, and follow up with a letter that is copied to the school superintendent if their initial inquiry receives no response.

Parents should report all threatening messages to the police and should document any text messages, emails or posts on websites.

For the Parents of kids engaged in bullying:

Stop bullying before it starts

Educate your children about bullying. It is possible that your child is having trouble reading social signs and does not know what they are doing is hurtful. Remind your child that bullying others can have legal consequences.

Make your home “bully free”

Children learn behavior through their parents. Being exposed to aggressive behavior or an overly strict environment at home makes kids more prone to bully at school. Parents/caregivers should model positive examples for your child in your relationships with other people and with them.

Look for self-esteem issues

Children with low self-esteem often bully to feel better about themselves. Even children who seem popular and well-liked can have mean tendencies. Mean behavior should be addressed by parents and disciplined."

Stand up against hate, racism, and discrimination. Change lives and the future by teaching your children to practice inclusion, equality, civility, and unity. Take positive steps that show you're kind rather than cruel. Say no to bullies everywhere.

Has bullying been a problem that has affected your family, friends, or acquaintances? Was it dealt with in an effective way? Please share any tips, ideas, or thoughts about this important subject in the comments section below. 

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