Bullying And Your Child

The issue of “Bullying” in the schools, community and via social networking has hit the media in the last few weeks in a very strong voice.
It is so important for everyone to continue to understand and share when it comes to the issue. It is documented that 17- 25 children per year will commit suicide and even more try but fail from being bullied in school and on cyber networks. So many parents are concerned and wondering what to do when and if this beast hits their own homes. Or, will they recognize it when it does?
As an Intervention Specialist and Parent Coach, I have worked with many children, numbers in the hundreds regarding the matter of child abuse and bullying. There are children I worked with who were so afraid to come to school; they hid in the neighborhood, which turned into a chronic truancy issue. I’ve also had to work with a team to intervene not on one, but several attempted suicides right in the school bathrooms by children under 9 years old. Belts, shoe laces, anything that can give them the opportunity to escape the mental and emotional torment of bullying.
While there is another surge of government officials working with the schools to produce anti-bullying policies, there will need to be training offered to parents and support for the children so that the policy put in place can be executed properly, in a timely manner. Fear of reporting such issues will be eliminated by teams in the schools offering workshops, conference calls and personal interaction on the issue. Bullying must be looked at as serious behavior that is seen more often than not. This is an important face that parents/guardians must remember. Time is of the essence and a demand must be placed on the matter. You don’t put a child on a school bus after children have been approached about bullying and no one is removed. The door has just opened for the child to be challenged to now handle this on their own. The ride home can be the last.
It is very important to speak with your child regarding the issue of bullying, personal and cyber. Make sure as a parent you are allowing he/she to express their feelings openly without criticism. If in fact it is exposed that this may be an issue, have a plan ready to immediately follow up on. Take time to actively listen to your child. Watch, listen and act!
If you would like to be a part of Karen L. Donald’s Parent Coach training and workshops regarding this and other topics, you may contact her at www.karenldonald.com . She is available for media expert interviews and personal appearances. For information, contact Square Ball Marketing (513) 748-0981.