Teaching Children How to Stand up to Bullies

BULLIES

We live in a time when children have to deal with so much pressure, so many problems, and so much criticism. In the Ensign, October 2015, and articles called "The Worth of Souls and the Problem of Bullying," by Jonathan Cox, discusses how to teach children correct principles in dealing with such a tough situation as bullying!

This article says, "By teaching our children the appropriate principles and skills, we can help them avoid being bullied- or becoming bullies themselves."

Here are a few things discussed that I found interesting!

• Have you ever thought about Laman and Lemuel as bullies? How did Nephi handle his brothers when he was being bullied?
• There are many forms of bullying: verbal, physical, sexual, relational, and cyber bullying.
• The common recommendations for dealing with a bully are actually ineffective and dangerous. These recommendations? ignoring the bully, turning it into a joke, or reacting aggressively are not good ways to deal with the bully.

Ummmm.... so what do I do??? 
Here are a few things to teach your children in dealing with a bully:

• Look the bully in the eye.
• Tell the bully calmly and firmly that his or her actions are bullying: "This is bullying, and it's not okay"
• Ask the bully to stop doing it: "I need you to stop."
• If the bully continues repeat the same message and tell the bully that an adult authority will figure will be informed.
• If the bully doesn't stop, seek authority of an adult closest to the situation.

One helpful way to prevent bullying is to teach your children to love other people, even when they seem different.
Teach your children to avoid saying mean things or acting in an aggressive or exclusionary way toward others.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE

 

Video for older kids: (from lds.org) 

 

 

For younger kids: (full episode of Sesame Street!)

 

 

 

Links on bullying:
http://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/webisodes/
http://www.stompoutbullying.org/index.php/ways-help/
http://stopbullyingnow.com/
For parents: http://stopbullyingnow.com/advice-for-parents-and-guardians/
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/stamp-out-bullying/
Cyber bullying: http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html
For Parents: http://www.loveourchildrenusa.org/howparentscanstopbullies.php