I’m tired of our kids being bullied. It’s time to do something. Want to End Bullying and other types of abuse? Let’s #ChangeTheConversation. This post is sponsored by The Monique Burr Foundation for Children. All mama-bear opinions are my own.
Want to End Bullying? Let’s #ChangeTheConversation
Parents, let’s face it. We all want to end bullying, right? All of us. But how many of us are actually “doing” something about it? We need change, real change. Because the stats are scary. It’s time to #ChangeTheConversation.
When the #MeToo movement began, I had chills thinking about how many women were silently victimized for years – believing that speaking out would not make a difference. Now imagine that same movement – with my kids, with your kids.
I just felt my throat and chest tighten.
The truth is, 1 in 4 children will be bullied or abused in their lifetime. 1 in 4. 1 in 5 kids will be cyberbullied. And the stats get scarier from there. But here’s the good news. 95% of abuse is preventable with education. It’s a topic that we never want to talk about with our children – but we need to. Bullying and abuse are acts that we as parents have to DO something about. So here’s what I’m doing right now to end bullying, as in real action. I hope you’ll consider doing the same.
Building The BEST Relationships with My Kids
To raise good kids (aka not bullies), you need to invest in them. Let your kids know how interested you are in their lives beyond the “how was school today?” discussion. Go above and beyond to build up their self-esteem, to build up their love, and to build up their trust in you. Fill them up with overflowing amounts of love and support daily. Because when you as a parent care about the small things in their lives, they’ll want to talk to you about the really big things.
Teaching By Example
Want to see change? Be the change. Words are not enough when it comes to parenting. I don’t want my kids to grow up to be bullies. And I certainly don’t want to raise kids to be bullied. But if I am passing judgement on others or if I am treating people horribly – what kind of example am I setting? In order for my kids to rise above bullying, it starts with MY actions. Lead by loving others. Teach with kindness always. Follow through on your morals and standards by being the “real life” hero your kids think you are. Our actions as parents speak louder than our words. Our kids deserve our best actions to model after.
Encouraging MORE Abuse Prevention Programs in Our Schools
I can’t be with them all of the time. And they need to hear about bullying and child abuse prevention from more than just me. We need programs in our schools to talk about bullying and abuse, what kids need to look for and more importantly what to do next. Thankfully, The Monique Burr Foundation for Children (an amazing organization that I partnered with last summer) is leading the charge to bring more of these programs to our schools, including my kids’ school.
This year my kids participated in the MBF Child Safety Matters™ prevention program by The Monique Burr Foundation for Children. This 20-year old Florida based nonprofit organization provides abuse prevention education programs in our schools from elementary to teen. Through their MBF Child Safety Matters™ and MBF Teen Safety Matters™ prevention programs, the MBF is on a mission to educate and empower students with information and strategies to prevent, recognize, and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, digital dangers, and all types of child abuse and exploitation.
Changing the Conversation – with Action
But not all schools have such a program…yet. That’s why it is time for us to Change the Conversation. We as parents need to take action and encourage ALL schools to have bullying and child abuse prevention programs. And there’s something we can do right now. Sign up now and petition to Change the Conversation in your local school – so we all can put a stop to bullying and child abuse, permanently. I don’t know about you, but I want to end bullying today. I want to end child abuse today. I want change today.
Sign up to Change the Conversation
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What are you doing to end bullying?
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Sara Zielinski says
These are great tips to end bullying.