Every School Has a Bullying Issue. So now what?
Let me put it this way, it is highly unusual when a school doesn’t have a bullying issue. The national statistic is about 30% of kids in schools say they’ve been bullied. After I conducted a survey in a local school (with 4th-8th graders, actually) it was, surprisingly, 30%. I say surprisingly because this is […]
Taking Action in Bullying Prevention
More people are getting involved in the bullying issue. Thanks to Ellen DeGeneres, even celebrities are stepping up to tell us how they really feel about the whole culture of mean. Listen. Whatever works. Bullying is such a messed up and difficult problem to tackle that I personally applaud anyone who tries to untangle one […]
Bullying and the Brain
This week’s Boston Globe article, “Inside the Bullied Brain” is riveting. Although many people don’t consider bullying dangerous and are of the opinion that it’s actually a normal part of childhood or a “right of passage,” this article comes to a completely different conclusion: A new wave of research into bullying’s effects, however, is now […]
Childhood Obesity and Bullying
In doing a little channel surfing today, it seemed like everyone was talking about childhood obesity and bullying. If you’re an overweight child, you know they go hand in hand. Everyone from Rachel Ray to Dr. Oz to Dr. Phil mentioned this issue today. Although this post was written in September, I thought it would […]
Thanks to Those Who Care about Kids and Bullying
Thanks to all those who spend their time, money, and expertise to help kids have a lighthearted and bully-free childhood. There are so many great experts doing good work. There are also great parents paying attention to raising compassionate kids. And to parents who also volunteer in schools, you’re awesome. Parents can’t do it alone […]
Rock On in Bullying Prevention
Almost everyone has had a great teacher in their lives. One of mine was Mrs. Behrens in the third grade. If you went by looks alone, you’d be terrified. She was an imposing figure. Luckily for the hundreds of kids she taught over the years, that was only a brief first impression. Although it was […]
If You Were Bullied, Would You Tell?
A huge percentage of kids don’t tell an adult when they’re being bullied. Fox News’ story, “Why Bully Victims Suffer In Silence” prompted me to repost an interview I did several months ago with a very wise teenager. Bottom line, for so many kids, telling an adult doesn’t help. In fact, so many times it […]
When Siblings Are Bullies: 10 Seconds in Bullying Prevention
Most people with a sibling can relate to sibling rivalry. It’s not unusual. In fact, it seems quite natural. Many experts say that siblings should work things out for themselves. It teaches them how to resolve conflict on their own. That’s somewhat valid. BUT…when does sibling rivalry become bullying? Scenario 6: Your kids bicker and […]
You Don’t Deserve That!: 10 Seconds in Bullying Prevention
It would be so great to know the right thing to say ALL the time.If you’re like the rest of us, that’s not the case. In fact, sometimes it’s a miracle when the right thing comes out. Like the time I asked a 20 something if she’d fallen off a bike, just to realize that […]
10 Seconds in Bullying Prevention: Gossip
Recently, Madonna was on the Ellen Show and challenged adults to not gossip for a day. This brings me to Scenario 5 in Tangled Ball’s 10 Seconds in Bullying Prevention Series. You’re in the grocery store after school. You have 45 minutes to buy dinner and get the kids home. They’re due at piano lessons […]
