PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN

Bullying incidents are no longer limited to the places where our children play and go to study, it’s now everywhere! Children should be taught to be tolerant to one another no matter how old they are; so they learn from a young age to be in peace with one another, therefore discourage bullying.

Children can take pictures or videos or talk about other children and allowing friends and strangers to pass judgments, sometimes in a cruelest of ways. While doing that, children think it’s funny without thinking through the consequences of the feelings of the other child. They may not even define what they are doing as a form of bullying.

As parents we need not to assume; don't assume that your children will never participate in bullying or they won’t dream of joining others who are doing that to other children.

Communicate a lot; we must have regular conversations with our children especially explaining about the consequences of bullying to other children.

Don’t give up and say kids will always be kids; most parents of a child who is engaged in bullying think that it will teach them to toughen up or that their child was just horsing around. This thinking is dangerous to our children; we should take more responsibility and control.

Don’t ignore the technology because you don't understand; technology can be difficulty; yes, but we should not take as an excuse not to know what our children are using technology for. The point is, children are several steps ahead when it comes to technology and social media, so it’s up to you to use it or you be on their heels in order you understand what they are doing.

When our children have been in target with bullying; we need to approach them immediately, as your child may shut down, feel embarrassed or say they can handle it but it’s imperative that we stay involved till there are resolutions.

First we need to discuss with our children while remaining calm. Children often don't divulge bullying because parents tend to over react. The thought of their parent talking to other children`s parent terrifying them so they choose to remain quite. At this time we need to respond to our children without judgment, blame or even attempting to fix it for them.

Also we need to ask our children if they have retaliated in a any way; this is very important to discuss with them, while tempting will land them in as much trouble as the perpetrator so encourage complete transparency of their actions during this time.

****If your friend`s kid can be bulled even your kid can be bulled we should stand up as one and protecting our children against bullying****

Released by

Tanzania Kids