Now that my daughter knows that she will be getting the teacher she prayed for (and by pray, I mean saying a healthy dose of novenas and lighting enough candles to burn down a Cathedral) she is happy to be heading back to school.
Me, not so much.
I am a bit concerned about the bullying problem that surfaced last year. I am hoping that the school has come up with a new approach to addressing the issue rather than simply putting a band-aid over it.
We’ll see. School starts in two weeks.
In the meantime, I’ve been consulting with other parents on how they plan to deal with the problem. One mom, whose daughter was the target of a bully for the entire year, met with a counselor who recommended following advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
The group has step-by-step tips on how to ensure that your child is prepared should she get picked on repeatedly by other children. Whether your kid is being bullied physically or verbally, it’s always a good idea for her to have a game plan in order to ensure her safety.
According to the AAP, if you discover that your child is being bullied you need to arm her with ways to respond. AAP experts suggest having your child:
1. Look the bully in the eye.
2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
3. Walk away.
If walking away is not an option, then try to teach your child how to say in a firm voice:
1. “I don’t like what you are doing.”
2. “Please do NOT talk to me like that.”
3. “Why would you say that?”
Then, instruct your child when and how to ask for help from an adult.
Has your child ever been the target of a bully?
Related Articles:
Study Shows Most Bullied Kids are Overweight
Bullying may be a good reason to homeschool
Is Your Toddler Destined to be a Troublemaker?