bullying

3 Ways to Help Your Daughter Understand & Withstand Media Influences

1290
14 years
by in assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, internet, kids, media messages, online, Parenting

Messages embedded in song lyrics, video imagery, and advertising influence the ways girls think about themselves and their relationships with others. You can help your daughters–and other young girls–become aware of media messages that violate values and degrade girls, using these engaging conversations and activities: (more…)

Do Anti-Bullying Programs work?

488
14 years
by in assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, cyberbullying, Parenting

I love this post by blogger Sue Scheff and agree 100% with her thought that the most effective anti-bullying programs are those that aim to teach social and emotional coping strategies for handling bullying, rather than those that rely on “zero tolerance” policies or focus exclusively on the bully. (more…)

How to Cope with Mean Girls

703
14 years
by in assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, kids, Parenting

In my little neck of the woods, we are all a-buzz with thoughts and wishes about the postcards scheduled to be mailed from our local elementary school tomorrow, letting us know who our kids’ teachers will be for the coming school year.  While I have hopes for a specific teacher with a reputation for inspiring creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, what I am really wishing for most is that my daughter’s class be filled with nice kids.

The little voice inside my head nags that that expectation is too high.  We are approaching the third grade year–girls are getting meaner.  I hate to say it.  I don’t want to give in to stereotypes.  But I know it to be true.  The bullying that “peaks in middle school” according to statistics, grows very strong roots in elementary school. (more…)

‘Twas the Night Before Kindergarten Part I: What Parents Can Expect from the School Year

165
14 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, Parenting

You’ve spent the summer calmly reassuring your nervous Kindergartener-to-be about the approaching school year. Together, you attended orientation and shopped for back-to-school clothing. Your child is ready to see what this “elementary-school thing” is all about, but what about you? As a parent, what can you expect from your child’s Kindergarten experience? (more…)

5 Ways to Talk with Your Daughter About Technology, from Rachel Simmons

488
14 years
by in assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, cyberbullying, Facebook, internet, kids, media messages, Parenting

In her newly revised and updated  book, Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls, author Rachel Simmons suggests five conversation starters for parents to use to get their daughters to open up about social media use.  “Opening lines” and areas ripe for discussion include:

1.  What’s your favorite thing to do online or on your phone?

2. Would your friendships be better or worse without technology? Easier or harder? (more…)

Rachel Simmons Offers Tip for Parents on Teenage Girls’ Use of Social Media

752
14 years
by in Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, cyberbullying, e-mail, Facebook, friends, internet, marital conflict, Parenting

Click below to listen to Odd Girl Out author Rachel Simmons’ NPR interview on Teenage Girls & Social Media.

 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2011/08/08/139176817/teenage-girls-and-social-media-tips-for-parents-from-a-best-selling-author

“Doing Nothing…Does Nothing:” One Principal’s “Do Something” Strategy for Coping with Bullying in School

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14 years
by in building self-esteem in girls, bullying, Parenting

I love the non-traditional approach this Nevada Principal took to dealing with bullies and bullying at his school.  Sometimes “Doing the Right Thing” begins by just doing something…

 

http://newrochelle.patch.com/articles/taking-action-to-stop-bullying

 

 

What’s in a Friend? A Brainstorming Exercise for Kids

505
14 years
by in anger, assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, friends, kids, Parenting

One of the most important things in the world for a child is to have friends. In childhood, friends are a source of fun, learning, and support. Some friendships, however, can be dangerous and destructive. Does your child know how to tell the difference between a friend and a “frenemy?” (more…)

Childhood Trauma, Family Violence & Bullying

279
14 years
by in anger, Being a Mom, bullying, Parenting

Please check out this fantastic article by my friend and fellow clinician, Leslie TenBroeck, about the relationship between childhood trauma, family violence, and bullying:

http://www.kidspeace.org/blog.aspx?id=3472&blogid=104 (more…)

How to Be Angry: An Assertive Anger Expression Group Guide for Kids and Teens

669
14 years
by in anger, assertiveness, Being a Mom, building self-esteem in girls, bullying, kids, Parenting, passive aggression, passive aggression by children, passive aggression in families, passive aggressive behavior in families, relational aggression

Best. Mail Delivery. Ever.

Just got home to find copies of my new book, How to Be Angry: An Assertive Anger Expression Group Guide for Kids and Teens, on my front porch.  Please check it out here or at amazon.com. 

I wrote it specifically for professionals and parents to help kids learn that having angry feelings does not make you bad; it makes you human.  Learning how to effectively cope with and express those feelings in ways that enhance–rather than damage–relationships is the key.

How to Be Angry is packed with discussion-starters, games, and kid-friendly activites to help young people learn how to express their anger in assertive, relationship-building ways.  It features two chapters on standing up to bullies, as well as tips on disagreeing without arguing, making and refusing requests, and responding to others’ anger.

I hope you enjoy it…check back and let me know what you think!

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Signe Whitson is an author and educator on bullying, crisis intervention, and child and adolescent emotional and behavioral health. In her articles, books, and training workshops, Signe provides down-to-earth, practical advice for professionals and parents on navigating the daily challenges of living and working with children, tweens and teens.

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