Contact Us
Visit The Character Effect website
The
Character
Effect
Visit The PCX website
PCX
App Coming Soon!

Beech Acres

Go to the home page
Facebook Linkedin Instagram

Bullying

Orange graphic with an image of a little girl hiding her face with bullies standing behind her with a text box with information about bullying
Bullying, Cyberbullying, Parent Connext™, Parenting Tips

Information on Bullying From Parent Connext

/

Bullying is a Common Parenting Concern Most parents say that one of their greatest fears is that their children will experience BULLYING by their peers. With information and support, parents can take steps to decrease the likelihood of their child being bullied, as well as help their child if they do experience bullying. Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. – stopbullying.gov Types of Bullying:•Physical – hurting a person’s body or possessions. Includes hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, tripping, pushing, taking or breaking someone’s things. •Verbal – saying or writing mean things. Includes teasing, name-calling, taunting, or threatening to cause harm. •Social – hurting someone’s reputation or relationships (also called relational bullying). Includes leaving someone out on purpose, telling other children not to be friends with someone, or embarrassing someone publicly. •Cyberbullying – Bullying via the internet and social media. Talk to Your Child Talk to your child about bullying and what to do if they experience or witness bullying. Ask them to name feelings that come up when bullying happens. Develop a Plan Read a book or watch a show or movie together that addresses bullying. Discuss it as a family. Determine how your family will deal with bullying. Talk to your child about what it means to be an Upstander. Role play situations that might happen and try different responses. Encourage Positivity Encourage positive friendships. Arrange play dates & encourage your child to reach out to a friend to get together. Building strong, positive social connections helps prevent bullying and helps build resilience. We’re Here For You! Parent Connext® provides parents with prompt, practical support for a variety of parenting challenges that families face every day. Contact us today.

Photo of four kids standing behind a sad boy sitting on the ground as they bully him
Bullying, LGBTQ

LGBTQ Youth and Bullying: How Might Life Be Different?

/

By Guest Blogger: Deanna Martin, LPCC, Senior Specialist, Center of Excellence Beech Acres Parenting Center LGBTQ Youth and Bullying While each of us is born to shine, there are places and spaces where LGBTQI+ youth do not feel safe to be fully who they are. Imagine you or a loved one not feeling safe to bring all that they are to your classroom, sports field, or home? What if that young one who felt so afraid was your child? The need to hide parts of oneself to belong takes a lot of mental, spiritual, psychological, and emotional energy. How Might Life Be Different? How might life be different for them if every adult, teacher, coach, and parent encouraged and modeled respect and approached them with curiosity and belief in their innate dignity and worth, creating safety for all? How might life be different if we loved unconditionally, with acceptance, and co-created communities of mutual support in which we are all able to grow, heal, learn, and explore in a place of freedom? The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) shows Nationwide in the United States that:• 32% of self-identified lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) high school students report having been bullied on school property• 26.6% LGB students versus 17.1% – 14.1% straight students report being cyberbullied• 13.5% LGB students versus 7.5% of straight students reported not going to school because of safety concerns.• 43% of transgender youth reported being bullied on school property.• 29% of transgender youth, 21% of gay and lesbian youth, and 22% of bisexual youth have attempted suicide.• Students “not sure” of their sexual identity reported being bullied on school property (26.9%), being cyberbullied (19.4%), and not going to school because of safety concerns (15.5%).As adults, we have the power to stand with or step away, to encourage light to shine or to extinguish it by not seeing our young people for all they are or not saying anything in the face of ridicule. Here are some tips for preventing bullying: Intentionally build relationships with youth by staying curious and open to hearing their experiences so they feel safe to share with you. Be unconditional in your love and support and make your allyship and support known. Educate yourself, ask questions and stay culturally humble. Model respect for all in the classroom, our homes, and on the sports field. *LGBTQI+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, nonbinary, or otherwise gender non-conforming For more information on how you can stop bullying, follow these links:https://www.hrc.org/news/new-cdc-data-shows-lgbtq-youth-are-more-likely-to-be-bullied-than-straight-cisgender-youthUnderstanding Gender: https://www.genderbread.org/resource/genderbread-person-v4-0-posterStop Bullying: https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/lgbtq LGBTQ Youth Resources: https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm

Photo of a young girl with her head down being pointed at and bullied by two other young girls
Bullying, Parenting Tips, Parenting Tips

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

/

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. All month, we’ll be exploring this critical issue that impacts so many children. Approximately 20% of all kids ages 12-18 report being bullied. What can you do if your child is being bullied? Our parenting experts will weigh in with ways you can identify if your child is being bullied, how to talk to them about bullying (more importantly, how to listen to them), and how to partner with your teacher if your child is being bullied. Bullying is a serious issue that many parents are concerned with. Building resilience can help your child if they become a victim of bullying. Get started building your child’s resilience by discovering their strengths. Bookmark the Beech Roots blog and sign up for our parenting e-newsletter to learn more about bullying this month.

Photo of a young student sitting alone at lunch
Bullying, character strengths, Cyberbullying, The Character Effect™

How Can The Character Effect™ Have An Effect On Bullying?

/

Bullying continues to be a major problem for students. We know that about 1 in 4 students in the United States say that they have been bullied. The majority of this occurs in middles school and usually involves both verbal and social bullying. So, how can mindfulness and character strengths #HaveAnEffect on bullying? Research shows that Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) programs like The Character Effect™ can be an effective component in comprehensive bullying prevention interventions in schools*. The Character Effect™ (TCE) helps build students’ resilience. We do this by increasing their social-emotional learning competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.  These competencies have been proven to help students learn to interact with others appropriately, create positive relationships, control impulses and stand up for what is right. A resilient student is more likely to be able to handle situations they encounter in a more positive manner. Students who participated in school-wide SEL programs to prevent bullying were 56% less likely to report name-calling by other students*. The Character Effect™ also helps students nurture and develop specific strengths that can be effective against bullying. These strengths include Friendship, Bravery, Self-Control, Kindness, Judgment, and Perspective. All of which are all helpful when learning to interact with peers and handle conflict. Bullying is not going away anytime soon. However, we can teach our students coping skills that rely on their own unique strengths to help mitigate the effects of bullying. Want to #HaveAnEffect in your school? Contact us today and learn how the positive psychology of mindfulness and the power of the 24 character strengths can improve your school’s culture.   *Smith, Brian H., and Sabina Low. “The role of social-emotional learning in bullying prevention efforts.” Theory Into Practice 52.4 (2013): 280-287. *Espelage, Dorothy L., et al. “Clinical trial of Second Step© middle-school program: Impact on aggression & victimization.” Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 37 (2015): 52-63.  

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

How Can You Tell If Your Child Is Being Bullied? Here Are Some Things to Look For…And What to Do If They Are

/

Is My Child Being Bullied? It’s one question every parent dreads; is their child is being bullied at school?  Bullying is a serious issue that affects children of all ages. Sometimes it may not be obvious that your child is being bullied and if they are, they may not be ready to tell you about it. That’s OK. Here are a few things you can look for that may indicate your child is being bullied along. And what to do if they are.  All tips based on Natural Strength Parenting™. Torn or Ripped Clothing One sign that your child may be experiencing physical bullying is torn or ripped clothing. If your child comes home from school with a tear in their favorite hoodie or ripped jeans be sure to ask what happened. This is a good way to start the conversation and to let them know you care. NSP™ Tip: Being fully present and engaged in these conversations may help your child feel more comfortable and thus more likely to open up to you. 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, ripped folders or paper and shattered or missing cell phones can all indicate something is wrong. Make sure you ask questions, especially if you notice multiple or repeated damage to personal items. You can allow them the opportunity to discuss what is happening and start to move forward by asking a few simple questions. “I notice your backpack is looking a little beat up. I know you love that backpack, is there anything you’d like to discuss before dinner?” NSP™ Tip: Providing the opportunity to clear something up can encourage your child to discuss the issue and start to move forward. Unexplained Cuts, Bruises, and Scratches It is important to be aware of any physical injuries your child comes home with. The occasional skinned knee or elbow is to be expected, but any physical symptoms should be addressed right away. When asking what happened, look for details and make sure to offer reassurance. If your child is being harmed physically it is a very serious manner and may be difficult for them to bring up with you. NSP™ Tip: If your child is hurt try a quiet, mindful moment with them to calm them down. Even just a few slow, deep breaths can help quiet their mind and have a calming effect. Changes in Attitude or Behavior Watch for changes in attitude towards school, sports, or other activities. Difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite or other noticeable changes in their behavior can all be signs that something is wrong. If your child is being bullied and they do not know how to deal with it, it can affect their mood. Be aware of any changes that you notice and take the opportunity to sit down and talk with them. Sometimes just taking time to ask the right questions can make a big difference. NSP™ Tip: Take a moment to recognize or celebrate a good grade on a test, a strong effort in a game, or a kind act you’ve seen them do recently. Offering affirmation to your daughter or son can help them focus on something positive.

Photo of two children pointing down at a third child as he looks at the ground
Bullying, Natural Strength Parenting™

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Are You Prepared to Talk to Your Child About Bullying?

/

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month Nearly one out of every five students report being bullied. Are you prepared to talk to your child about bullying? Bullying is a growing concern for children and parents everywhere. Bullying is prevalent from your child’s preschool playground to their high school locker room. Natural Strength Parenting™ can provide you with tools to build your child’s resilience and help your family deal with bullying. All month we will be providing valuable information for parents to identify, address, and reduce the impact of bullying on their child. Bookmark the Beech Roots blog and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Find additional resources from innerbody here.

Photo of a young lady smiling with her parents in the background
Beech Acres, Bullying, Parenting Tips

Bullying Is Serious. We’re Here To Help.

/

Bullying can be very serious and can affect your child’s mood, self-esteem, and academic performance. But there is hope… 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. If necessary seek help from their school, pediatrician or mental health professional. We’re here to help as well. To speak with a parenting coach please call 513-231-6630 today. How Can The Character Effect™ Have An Effect On Bullying? LGBTQ Youth and Bullying: How Might Life Be Different? Partner With Your Child’s Teacher To Address Bullying Listen To Your Child If They Tell You They Have Experienced Bullying Is My Child Being Bullied? Here’s How You Can Identify Potential Signs Of Bullying Help! My Child Might Be A CyberBully!

Photo of one kid smiling with their arms in the air and another kid upset with their head down
Beech Acres, Bullying, Natural Strength Parenting™, Parenting Tips, Parents

How You Can Help Your Highly Sensitive Child Manage the Strong Personalities of Others

/

NEW! We offer a wide range of FREE text-based parenting courses. Get Natural Strength Parenting™ delivered straight to your phone. Get started today. Interacting with Children with Strong Personalities Playing on a team or interacting with a group of kids with strong personalities can be difficult and stressful for children of all ages. It can be particularly tricky for a highly sensitive child. Highly sensitive children may demonstrate some of these qualities: incredibly perceptive very inquisitive prefers quiet play over play with others often labeled ‘shy’ or ‘highly emotional’ quick to react feels their feelings deeply, especially rejection and criticism of others or of others being mistreated. becomes overwhelmed easily by new situations, crowds or noise has difficulty not thinking about others in need passionate about understanding the meaning of something Nearly one-quarter of children experience some or all of these symptoms. Highly Sensitive Children May Internalize Their Feelings A highly sensitive child internalizes and experiences feelings with more intensity, so what might bounce off of a less sensitive child can be very difficult for a highly sensitive child to let go or take less seriously. Their rich emotional lives can often create a challenge in that they can misinterpret the behaviors of others, especially those that have strong personalities, and display behaviors such as being loud, demonstrative, teasing, or wanting to be in charge. What Can Parents Do When a child reports to their parent that someone has mistreated them and he or she reports their reaction and feelings strongly, it is important to ask questions about the situation before jumping to the conclusion that bullying has taken place. While bullying always needs to be treated seriously by a parent or caregiver, understanding your child’s perspective of what happened is especially important for a child that takes everything to heart. You may start a conversation with: “You really felt bad that someone said things about your science project after you worked so hard on it. Laughing at your work really hurt”.  “It sounds like they were not acting in a way that you felt was kind. Can you share what happened?”  You might also inquire whether your child sees this same behavior with others and how they respond. Ask them, “How do your friends respond when others speak to them this way?” This can help them understand other children better. Parents find that acceptance, being nonjudgmental, and focusing on what their child does well and the gifts he or she brings as a result of being a highly sensitive child can create a stronger bond between parent-child and build confidence. It will also really help the child to manage difficult behaviors he or she encounters at school. You can use Natural Strength Parenting™ to help your child navigate these situations. STRENGTH SPOTTING Highly sensitive children need to see their sensitivity as a strength to feel empowered and recognize the positives of being sensitive such as being insightful, empathetic, and creative. Since many highly sensitive children are labeled negatively, this is especially important to their well-being. It is also an important reminder to parents as they manage their concerns and frustration with their ‘emotionally charged’ child. BE MINDFUL Learn their specific triggers and co-create solutions with them to manage those big emotions. Mindful techniques like breathing may help them to feel less overwhelmed and reactive. Tapping into their strength of creativity, you may visualize with them a different way of responding to stronger personalities and how different that can feel. Doing a mindful body scan to talk about where they are feeling their emotions or imagining their first reaction to floating away on a cloud can also be helpful. BE INTENTIONAL The more your child can visualize a different response to something that is being said that they do not, the greater the chance they will feel empowered and less at the whim of others. Work together to create a “slogan” or positive phrase for the week and say it together each morning before school. By gaining insight into your child’s experience of others, you are helping them navigate the strong personalities they will encounter throughout their lives. Consider the boisterous co-worker in every meeting or the vocal parent on the PTA. With Natural Strength Parenting™, highly sensitive children can develop powerful relationship skills and discover the good in how they perceive their world. Ready to go further? Sign up to get connected with a Parenting Specialist today! 

Photo of a male teacher speaking with the parents of a little boy
Back To School, Bullying, Schools

Partner With Your Child’s Teacher To Address Bullying

/

Partner With Your Child’s Teacher To Address Bullying. Partnering with your child’s teacher can offer critical insight into cases of bullying. Here are some questions you can ask your child’s 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 administration to create a plan for your child. Schedule a call or virtual meeting with your child’s teacher to address your concerns. 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. Most schools should list their bullying policy on their website or in the student handbook. 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 any 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 man and child with listen written in a black shape
Beech Acres, Bullying

Listen To Your Child If They Tell You They Have Experienced Bullying.

/

Listen. 28% of U.S. students in grades 6-12 experience bullying. Listening to your child is an important step in addressing and possibly 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. 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. NSP™ Tip: 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.

Scroll to Top