In The Bulls-Eye: Bullying at School How to Help Your Child

Hello Friends..
This weeks show about Bullying was quite an eye-opening experience for me.  I was usually always the
biggest and tallest girl in my class back in my early school years and never would have even thought
of doing that to someone. In fact, I was usually the one standing up for those getting bullied. I only
remember two fights in my life and they were both in junior high school. One was defending someone that was being bullied and the other was defending a family member.  But I remember the group of girls and guys taunting others and I usually told them to cut it out, especially since I was usually President of my class or of the Student Body.
My son who is always the biggest in his class thankfully is also not a bully. I wouldn't allow it! I am very proud that his teachers give him the best citizenship grades.  Hes following in his Momma's footsteps...he takes up for the underdog as well.  #proudmomma  :)
Listening to the experts on the show may be just shake my head. We were discussing bullies in school, but hey now that I think about it there are coaches, bosses, co-workers etc...that bully people. They should know better.  Experts say bullying can happen anywhere: face-to-face, by text messages or on the web. AND it is not limited by age, gender, or education level. It is not a phase and it is not a joke.
But in understanding a little better about why people bully...it all seems clearer to me now. Its about control and its also because a great majority of the people who bully others..are/were bullied at home.
That still doesn't it make it right though, does it?  So whats a parent and individual to do about bullies??
SAY SOMETHING TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM !!! 
Here are some tips for parents from www.redcross.com.

1. Teach your child to report bullying to a trusted adult, and to be specific about is happening. Saying, “She calls me names” or “He threatens to hurt me” is more effective than “She’s bugging me!”
2. Let children know that you will take concerns seriously and take action to protect them.
3. Find out about the bullying and harassment policy in your children's schools, clubs and sports teams.
4. Understand the difference between tattling and telling. Tattlers are trying to get someone else in trouble for breaking a rule. Telling is when a child lets an adult know that something bad is happening, and that help is needed to stop it
5. Bystanders usually encourage bullying, even when they hate it. Teach your child to be a positive bystander. If they see someone being bullied, they should not watch, laugh or join in. Instead, they should make it clear that they are on the side of the victim, not the bully—and they should tell an adult what they saw or heard.
6. Model respectful behavior at home and in your daily interactions – children often emulate the behaviors of adults close to them.

And remember if you have any questions on our show topics please give us a call at 866-472-5788.  You can listen to our show live online Wednesdays 10am Pacific/11am Mountain/12 Central and 1pm Eastern.

Thanks for being a part of our Outreach Today family!!!!  

Eva Bowen, Executive Producer "Outreach Today"