Together we can break the dangerous cycle of bullying
From your friends at Two Roads Wellness Clinic
Sadly, bullying can happen at almost any age. Arm your preschoolers, grade schoolers, tweens and teens with what they need to know to protect themselves from bullying – and to avoid being a bully.
Bullying is unwanted and repeated aggressive behavior that involves a real or felt imbalance of power. StopBullying.gov says both kids who are bullied and those who bully can experience serious and lasting problems.
People who bully use their power – physical strength, intimidation, access to embarrassing information, status and more – to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
Two Roads Wellness Clinic will be at Carle’s Playing It Safe from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, at Leonhard Recreation Center, 2307 Sangamon Dr. in Champaign, to talk about bullying and reducing its dangerous impact. The free event focuses on family fun and safety as spring turns into summer, complete with all its excitement and challenges.
Those who visit the Two Roads Wellness Clinic table can ask questions, receive guidance and make bracelets to help everyone remember these three important steps to help stop bullying.
- Stand up for yourself. Say, “Stop!” Say, “I don’t like that.”
- If the bully doesn’t stop, walk away. This keeps kids safe and prevents bullying back.
- Tell an adult. Parents, teachers, friends and family can protect the victim and seek consequences for the bully.
Watch for bullying in its many forms, some more obvious than others.
- Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things, including teasing, name calling and threatening to cause harm.
- Social or relational bullying involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships, like leaving someone out on purpose, spreading rumors and telling embarrassing stories.
- All bullying hurts, but physical bullying hurts physically. It can include hitting, kicking, tripping, pushing and taking or breaking someone’s things.
Please talk with your kids today. If you need a hand, these free printables can help start the conversation and serve as visual reminders.
- 3 Kinds of Bullying to Watch Out For
- Conflict or Bullying? Know the Difference
- 3 Steps to Stop Bullying
And if you’re already talking with them about how to stop bullying, way to go! Keep it up.
Being a kid – and a parent – is hard enough without bullying in the mix. Make a difference today. Teach your kids of all ages not to bully and how to stop bullying before it gets out of control.
To learn more about Two Roads Wellness Clinic in Champaign and Danville, please visit us online and on Facebook. Or call us today at (217) 651-6801.