PREVENT BULLYING!

We are all responsible for our own actions, but are we responsible for the actions of others? What happens when we witness one child bullying another? Is the prevention of a bully attack OUR responsibility?

In a word, YES. If we witness a bully attack and do nothing to prevent it, we are just as responsible for the bully attack as is the bully.

If we can't stand up to bullies who are attacking our children, our children will see the weakness in us and mimic it. Do we really want to raise children who cannot stand up for themselves?

How do we stop children from bullying each other? – By empowering ourselves and our children with adequate information and tools for dealing with bullying. Help is available. From assistance at the school level with school counselors and psychologists to government agencies, HELP IS AVAILABLE.

More attention is being brought to bullying today because so many schools have been ignoring the problem. It's time to step up. It's time to be part of the solution and not a contributor to the problem.  Visit STOP BULLYING NOW for information on how you can help rid this world of this growing problem.

In addition to the government web site listed above, numerous books and articles have been written on the subject, and I would like to list some of them here:

The Anti-Bullying and Teasing Book: For Preschool Classrooms by Barbara Sprung, Merle Froschl, Blythe Hinitz

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School--How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence by Barbara Coloroso
 
Please Stop Laughing at Us...: One Survivor's Extraordinary Quest to Prevent School Bullying by Jodee Blanco

Bully-Proof Your Classroom Teaching Kit: 6 Picture Books with Lessons for Teaching Children Strategies to Handle Bullying in Effective and Appropriate by Deborah Schecter (Editor)

Schools Where Everyone Belongs: Practical Strategies for Reducing Bullying / Edition 2 by Stan Davis, Julia Davis (With)

Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies by Jay McGraw, Steve Bjorkman (Illustrator), Phil McGraw (Introduction)

How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression: Elementary Grade Lessons and Activities That Teach Empathy, Friendship, and Respect by Steve Breakstone, Michael Dreiblatt, Karen Dreiblatt

And Words Can Hurt Forever: How to Protect Adolescents from Bullying, Harassment, and Emotional Violence by James Garbarino, Ellen Delara, Ellen DeLara

We Want You to Know: Kids Talk about Bullying by Deborah Ellis

Stand up for Yourself and Your Friends: Dealing with Bullies and Bossiness and Finding a Better Way by Patti Kelley Criswell, Angela Martini (Illustrator)

Why Is Everybody Always Picking on Me?: A Guide to Understanding Bullies for Young People by Terrence Webster-Doyle, Rod Cameron (Illustrator)


Click any of the links in this blog and you will be taken to the book. I've also posted links all around this blog.

 

Applauding Accomplishments

Nolan, 3

Whenever any of my children or grandchildren accomplish a goal, and they put forth the effort to accomplish that goal, no matter how small it is, I applaud them.

"You pooped in the potty? YAY!"

"You folded your socks all by yourself? YAY!"

"You cleaned up your mess all by yourself? GREAT JOB!"

And the list goes on.

I'll admit I went a little overboard with my oldest daughter. I think, because I was never applauded for any of my accomplishments growing up (perhaps I had none), I wanted my children and grandchildren to feel good about whatever they did, so I applauded (and still applaud) their every accomplishment.

You may not be surprised to learn that I recently applauded my three-year-old grandson, Nolan, when he said, "I can spell DVD now." YAY!

Single Parent Resources

Raising children alone is a difficult task. Many of us have family who help. Some of us have neighbors who help, but often many of us are left to deal with single parenting alone. If you are one of those parents struggling to raise your children by yourself, with no help from family, friends, or neighbors, know that help is available for you – help AND support.

The Single Parent Center provides facts, statistics, advice and even information about obtaining financial aid for student loans and grants.

Check out the Single Parent Center if you're interested in learning about how you can return to school, what resources are available to you for caring for your child, dating issues, and any of a number of problems related to single parenting.