This is a current yet age old problem that is often overlooked or not taken seriously enough. Yet over and over again it has been proven to have deadly consequences and leave lasting, disabling and traumatic damage to many people in many different ways.
The safest way to protect yourself and the ones you love is by education and at an early age. Children learn by example, so choose to be a good role model. There is no better lesson than tolerance.
Even with the best guidance and direction, your child may still fall victim to bullying behavior. The old proverb, "an eye for an eye," may be tempting but almost always leads to accelerated aggression and actions.
Teach your child to tell someone. A teacher, parent, mentor, family member etc. These are the people closest in your child's life and with the authority and ability to end such behavior.
Encourage your child to express themselves in writing, drawing, dance or any activity that encourages self esteem and self expression.
Suggest any kind of team activity. This will surround your child with others with similar interests and create a common bond and team spirit attitude.
Practice good communication skills and promote empathy and understanding.
When faced with this problem, stress the fact that the deficiency lies in their aggressor and not within. This is a good time for the simple reminder that their tormentor is most likely an unhappy or troubled person and to understand that is not a lack in their own self for the attack but rather that of the bully.
Surround your child with positive people and positive things. Whatever form that may take for each individual.
Push for education on this topic in the classroom and suggest a classroom or school wide campaign on anti-bullying. Let the students get creative and create their own sayings, slogans or logos. This is a fun and non-obtrusive way of making bullying "uncool" and letting the children take charge of their own personal growth and safety.
Remember,
Change Starts Within.
Copyright November 6/09
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