Sunday, January 29, 2012

Talk to Teens about Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment

Teenage years are the hardest years for our children to experience. They begin to experience a great deal of changes in their lives:  moving from elementary school to middle school, then to junior high, and finally into high school, their body images begin to change, their friends begin to change - so their environment takes on this whole new change. How does a teenager handle their teens years? How do you talk to your teens about sex, drugs, bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, boyfriends/girlfriends, friends, and education?

In today's world, with this economy, we (parents) are extremely busy working. But, we must make time for our children, spouse/partner...for our family. Pick one night, for my family it's Friday's....it's our FAMILY TIME. We have dinner together. We decide to watch a movie. We select a board game to play. And we make time to talk. I use this time to talk to my teens about sex, drugs, bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, boyfriend/girlfriend, friends, and education. I make it point to know who my children's friends are, who do they live with, where do they live, provide a phone number for me to contact. If my child can not provide me with the information, well then my child is not going over. If I permit my child to go out to the movies or a friend's house, I set a time (curfew) to return home.

School class assignments need to be completed. If you are behind, guess what, you are not having friends over or going to see friends. I ask my children, "What are your goals in life? What do you want to have when you are an adult? How do you plan on accomplishing that?"

When the law changes, I inform my children how this law will affect them. For example (in Texas):  A student by the age of 10 (now I believe the law changed to 11 or 12)....can be given a citation (ticket) for assault - if he/she assaults another student or teacher. A student can be charged for using profanity at a teacher. If you child is being harassed or bullied at school, keep a log (dates, times, what transpired, if reported to school faculty - whom did you report the incident to)...per the Police Department after 10 or more incidents charges can be brought against the individual. Anyone (teen and/or adult) can be charge for cyberbullying.

Parents/Guardians....must make it a point to talk to their child/children every day. Ask:  How was your day? Listen (really listen). Respond back with positive affirmations. Our children hear enough negative things about them...they don't need to hear it at home.

Parents/Guardians....take a moment to write your child a letter entitles "You mean the World to Me" or "You are Special to Me" and in your letter tell your child why he/she means the world to you or special to you.

Do you have any other suggestions? If you do, please share them.

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