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October 2017

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Beech Acres, Bullying

Bullying Can Be Very Serious. We’re Here to Help.

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Bullying can be very serious and can affect your child’s mood, self-esteem, and academic performance. But there is hope… What will you say? If your child is suffering, let them know they are not alone. Tell them that bullying is unfortunately not uncommon and that it is not their fault. Children can feel helpless when being bullied so it is important to point out their strengths and how they’ve used them successfully in other situations. To help keep their confidence from diminishing, brainstorm some ways that they can use one of their strengths effectively in this situation. You can discover your child’s strengths (as yours too!) at http://www.viacharacter.org If necessary seek help from their school, pediatrician or a mental health professional. We’re here to help as well. To speak with a parenting coach please call 513-231-6630 today.

Grey graphic that says "Hurt kids hurt kids"
Beech Acres

Hurt kids hurt kids.

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Hurt kids hurt kids. Our vision is a world where all children are nurtured to discover, cultivate and apply their natural gifts. Get inspired and equipped to raise capable, caring, contributing children or support our vision with a contribution to our mission today. https://beechacres.org/our-story/our-mission-vision/

Photo of three girls bullying another girl
Beech Acres, Bullying, Cyberbullying, Parenting Tips, Parents, Services

Help! My Kid is a Cyberbully!

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You’ve recently discovered inappropriate treatment directed at other children on your child’s phone. What will you say? Cyberbullying, a form of bullying or harassment using digital contacts such as texts, email, or social media, is a growing concern for parents. The influence of technology on our culture has never been greater. Kids are using digital devices at an earlier age and are spending much more time in front of them. The ubiquitous use of digital technologies has made them an easy platform for bullying to thrive. According to Stopbullying.org, 15% of all U.S. high school students were cyberbullied last year. Sadly, that number is dramatically higher, a staggering 55%, among LGBTQ students. We’ve recently explored ways to address bullying when your child is the victim, but what if your child is the bully? Here are some things to ask if you have discovered inappropriate treatment of other children on one of your child’s devices. Ask your child if she knows what can happen to kids that are cyberbullied. They can get depressed, become anxious, or worse. Ask your child what her intention was. What were they hoping to accomplish? Ask your child what the other child did to prompt their behavior.  Ask your child how else she can manage her feelings towards other children in acceptable ways. Listening to your child and understanding their behavior and their motivations are key to addressing this issue. Working through intention and consequences can lead to better decision making in the future.

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Bullying, Parenting Tips, Parents

Listening To Your Child Is An Important Step In Addressing and Preventing Bullying

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Listen. 28% of U.S. students in grades 6-12 experience bullying. Listening to your child is an important step in addressing and preventing bullying. Listen with empathy and give your child your undivided attention. Offer reassurance, acknowledge the situation and assure them you are taking them seriously. Ask your child how they see you helping the situation. This gives them some control over something they feel they have no control over. Try saying something like this: “I cannot imagine how difficult it is to worry about what they might say or do next. I have an idea about how I will take action, but I’d like to hear from you about what you would like for me to do”. By taking this approach you are modeling how to stand up for yourself in a proactive and confident way. Dealing with a bully is a delicate and difficult situation for your daughter or son. Simply listening to them is a great way to begin to empower them to address the problem.  

Photo of a male teacher speaking to the mother of a child at a parent teacher conference as her husband and son sit beside her
Bullying, Parenting Tips, Parents

Partner With Your Child’s Teacher and School to Address Bullying

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Partnering with your child’s teacher can offer critical insight in cases of bullying. Ask their teacher How does my child get along with other students? With whom does he or she spend their free time at school? Have you ever suspected my child is being bullied by other students? Work with the teacher and with the school to create a plan for your child. Make sure you know the school’s policy on bullying, bring it to the Administration’s (principal and school counselor) attention and ask what their intention is regarding your child. Let them know you have a plan in place with your child’s teacher and that you want the Administration involved in the solution. Ensure that the plan includes protecting your child from the situation worsening as a result of them bringing it to the school’s attention. Finally, you should meet with the school throughout the process, not just once, until there is a resolution.

Photo of a child's hand writing I Am Being Bullied on a notepad
Bullying, Parenting Tips

How To Identify Potential Signs of Bullying

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Sometimes it may not be obvious that your child is being bullied. And they may not be ready to tell you. Here are a few signs that you can look for that may indicate your child is being bullied. Torn or Ripped Clothing One sign your child may be experiencing physical bullying is torn or ripped clothing. If your child comes home from school with a tear in their hoodie or ripped jeans be sure to ask what happened. This is a good way to start the conversation and let them know you care. Damaged Property If your daughter or son bring any of their personal items home from school damaged, it could be a sign they are being bullied. Broken tablets or laptops, damaged backpacks, torn folders, ripped paper and cracked or missing cell phones can all indicate something is wrong. Make sure you ask questions, especially if you notice multiple or repeated damages to personal items. Unexplained Cuts, Bruises, and Scratches This is important to look for. Any physical symptoms should be addressed right away. When asking what happened, look for details and make sure to offer reassurance. Changes in Attitude or Behavior Watch for changes in attitude towards school, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite or other noticeable changes in their behavior. If something is happening and they do not know how to deal with it, it can affect their mood. If you notice changes, take the opportunity to sit down and talk to them. Sometimes just taking time to ask the right questions can make a big difference.  

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Bullying, Parenting Tips, Parents

Listen To Your Child If They Say They Have Been Bullied

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Although 25% of teens report being bullied, there are more that will not disclose out of fear or shame. Younger children do not always recognize this dominating behavior as bullying and may not report it as such. If your child tells you they are being bullied, start by letting them know you are glad they came to you. Then assure them that you take it seriously. You can start by actively listening to their concerns. Ask lots of questions, but without judgment. It is important to make them feel safe talking to you. Finally, offer reassurance that you have heard their concerns and that you take it seriously. Actively listen, take them seriously, ask lots of questions and offer reassurance. If you need assistance, we are here to help with this and other parenting challenges. Call 513.231.6630 to learn more.  

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Parents

Talking With Kids About News

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Our hearts are broken for the people of Las Vegas after last night’s incident. This tragedy, coupled with several recent natural disasters still affecting thousands of people across the globe, may have you wondering how to approach talking to your children about events in the news. First, be honest with them. A truthful approach will help them better understand the facts about what they are hearing. Try and separate facts from rumors and embellishments. Next, listen to their questions and address their concerns. Younger children may need reassurance that they are safe, while your older kids may have more in-depth questions to help them understand and process. It is important to address their concerns and offer your perspective based on your family’s values. Finally, offer them hope. Reassure them that they are safe and talk through their feelings. Develop a plan for your family in case they encounter dangerous situations. Unplug from media for a while and spend some quiet time together as a family. You can also research ways your family can help families affected by these tragedies.

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Parenting Tips

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month

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This month we will be recognizing National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Bullying is a growing concern for children and parents everywhere. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 4 students say they have been bullied in school. What will you say if your child tells you they are being bullied? All month long we will share tips from our experts on addressing bullying here on the blog and on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo of a mother and father with their two children
Beech Acres

Beech Roots

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Welcome to Beech Roots, the official blog of Beech Acres Parenting Center! We plan to bring you strengths-based parenting tips, news about our organization, up to date information on our programs, campaigns, and services as well as fresh perspectives from today’s modern parents. Bookmark this page and be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and connect with us on Linked In.

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