A parenting-related e-mail in my inbox today caught my attention. The article was entitled Bullies May Intimidate Siblings, too and was authored by Robert Preidt of HealthDay News. My first reaction to this article was “well then the schools need to do something about it”. But after thinking about it for a brief moment I realized that no, in fact the primary responsibility does not lie on the shoulders of the public school system, in fact undeniably the issue of bullying has it’s deepest roots at home. Where do kids first learn to bully? Where do they see their first examples of anger and intimidation? At home of course!
Kids absorb the anger from their parents and other adults that may be in their household. Children watch how adults interact and emulate what they see. Parents of bullies need to look inward before casting blame on others (such as the school system). Of course it goes without saying that kids who bully at school are going to bring that same behavior home and bully siblings. Kids who act one way at school more times than not act the same way at home.
Shepherding Kind Hearts would solve the problem of bullies not only in our schools but also in the work place. If children see tolerance, patience, love, respect, and honesty (among other positive virtues) then they will grow into that positive mold. Children need to be nurtured, loved, and cared for. Most of all children need to KNOW that they are loved and accepted by adults in their family. When a young child doesn’t feel the love and acceptance their little hearts yearn for they will act out in the only way that they know how; bullying at school (among other sinful acts). Bullying and disrespect should not be tolerated anywhere. It starts in the home though.
Just another reason to teach and model towards kind hearts in our children.
Read more here about how to correct teasing behavior in your school age child. There are also articles on the same site for toddler and preschool aged teasing behavior.
Kids absorb the anger from their parents and other adults that may be in their household. Children watch how adults interact and emulate what they see. Parents of bullies need to look inward before casting blame on others (such as the school system). Of course it goes without saying that kids who bully at school are going to bring that same behavior home and bully siblings. Kids who act one way at school more times than not act the same way at home.
Shepherding Kind Hearts would solve the problem of bullies not only in our schools but also in the work place. If children see tolerance, patience, love, respect, and honesty (among other positive virtues) then they will grow into that positive mold. Children need to be nurtured, loved, and cared for. Most of all children need to KNOW that they are loved and accepted by adults in their family. When a young child doesn’t feel the love and acceptance their little hearts yearn for they will act out in the only way that they know how; bullying at school (among other sinful acts). Bullying and disrespect should not be tolerated anywhere. It starts in the home though.
Just another reason to teach and model towards kind hearts in our children.
Read more here about how to correct teasing behavior in your school age child. There are also articles on the same site for toddler and preschool aged teasing behavior.
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