"Even when we're being very cruel and unkind to one another, it's out of our own insecurity, our own fear, our own lack of self-love." ~ Patricia Sun
Lenore, a Daily Celebrations reader and a passionate mother, asked me to do a newsletter on bullying. The more I researched the topic, the more I realized what a serious problem bullying is for school children and how sad it is that youngsters can be so cruel to one another.
“(About) 160,000 kids A DAY in our country stay home because they are afraid to be bullied on the bus, on the playground, in school when the teacher isn't looking,” Lenore said.
She’s right, and there’s more…
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CRUELTY AND FEAR...
“Cruelty and fear shake hands together.” ~ Honoré de Balzac
Teasing… Taunting… Threatening… Malicious gossiping … Hitting… Tormenting. Remember the bullies in your school? I do. I wore glasses in fourth grade, had pimples in eighth, so my childhood self-esteem has been dented by more than enough psychological intimidation.
Now that I’m older and wiser, I realize bullies are control freaks who need power and attention because of their own low-self esteem. They emulate adults who are also bullies. Studies show that bullies become adults who are unable to develop and maintain positive relationships.
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RESPONSIBILITY...
“We must exchange the philosophy of excuse for the philosophy of responsibility." ~ Barbara Jordan
Bullying has been identified as a contributing factor in the epidemic of violence in schools. CNN reported this year that most school shooters “felt bullied or threatened by someone else just before they went on a rampage.”
Teachers and counselors need to be better trained in methods for dealing with bullies. More classes need to discuss how bullying hurts the person being bullied AND the bully.
Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa said, “The single most important strategy for developing a bully-free school environment is to rigorously enforce intervention strategies at all grade levels while installing a strong prevention program in the lower elementary grades.”
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REVOLUTION OF THE HEART...
"The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart." ~ Dorothy Day
Parents need to work together with the school administration and teachers to create anti-bullying classrooms. Together we make each other accountable.
We can talk about bullying with our kids. We can build trust and empathy and teach assertive skills and positive self-talk. We can stay better connected to teachers and even volunteer to be an extra set of eyes and ears on campus.
There’s a wealth of information on-line to help. www.antibullying.net www.keystosaferschools.com are great starts.
“How do we keep this positive?” I asked Lenore. Easy. Continue to work from the heart. Celebrate life and help others do so, too.
Be aware, become an advocate, and create change! 
