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Title: Backpacks and Bullies. Is Your Child Prepared?
Author: Patricia Gatto
Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved.
Category: Parenting/Children's Social Issues
Word Count (including Resource Box and References): 700 ------------------------------------- Backpacks and Bullies. Is Your Child Prepared? Patricia Gatto ©2004 All Rights Reserved. Joyful Productions
As flurry of Back to School activities subside, parents are left to ponder more pressing issues than notebooks, backpacks, and sneakers.
Will my child succeed this year? Will his academic and social growth meet my hopes and expectations? Have I done everything I can to make this possible?
If you haven't prepared your child for school bully, not only could your dreams and aspirations end in failure, but your child could fall victim to violence, and suffer long-lasting repercussions.
Make no mistake; bullying is a form of violence. Experts estimate that almost 75% of today's youth will be involved in some aspect of bullying before they enter high school. And chances are, your child will be among statistics.
Humiliation, fear, anxiety and depression are constant companions of a child that is bullied. It can lead to harmful, shocking and unexpected behavior from an otherwise shy or timid child.
Victims feel ashamed and tend to view themselves as failures. They are more prone to stress related illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches. In extreme cases, victim of a bully can experience sever depression and entertain thoughts of suicide.
Lack of safety is one of top concerns of young people, and bullying is a real and constant threat. A child's emotional development is just as important, if not more so, than academic development. In fact, a safe, health, emotional environment is essential to academic growth and success.
How do you prepare your child for school bully?
Become involved and make certain your school has active anti-bullying policies in place. Disciplinary guidelines, procedures for investigating and reporting incidences of bullying, adequate supervision, and an immediate plan of action to address reports of bullying are key elements to a successful program.
