Children and Adults Against Bullying Intervention
The power of music has the affect for some kids to open up and talk. It all depends on what they like to listen to, and once they find that song that relates to their situation, it tends to break down the barriers that hold back the pain they feel inside. Children often feel like they have a ball of pain in there stomach, and it's true. Kind of like an onion that has layers; kids often bury these feelings for so long that it is literally like peeling an onion with all the layers to those emotions and bottled up fears. Mentally kids break down when they retain to much information and don't have enough room to learn anything in school, and can lead to distressed grades. The emotions of a child become hardened, and at some point, an interest tends to break free some of those emotions, much like music touches us all in some way. When your child goes to sleep, do they listen to music? You would be surprised what beautiful music, and how they relate to it can break the cycle.
The power of writing.
Writing can also be a great way for a child to express themselves to you. Sometimes children fear talking to adults, and a journal may help with this problem. Encourage them to draw, write how they feel, and most important of all keep an eye on their journal for signs and clues. Ask them if they are having trouble in school if you see signs of unhappiness, or maybe they may be having freindship troubles. The point is to always be aware.
Breaking a cycle that a child has developed is not always easy. Some will act as if they will not talk to an adult, but some will right away. Those that refuse, reassure them that it is ok to talk, and never to feel ashamed whatever the problem is. The harder it is to get them to talk the more their self esteem has been battered. Trust me they will talk, but you must listen. Sometimes you'll realize they have been talking all the time you have not paid attention.
Remember this, when the child does start talking and you discover that it has been ongoing for some years, then you need to know that not only do they have self esteem issues but, they also are trying to piece together incidents over that time period. Most of their supressed memories will be bad ones, and if asked they won't remember to many good ones.
It's like taking 1000 cards, each having a different picture, feeling, and emotion to that moment, and throwing them in the air, and over several weeks they slowly piece back together. It is like a flood of emotions, memories, pains, and very vivid details. I was bullied for eight years, and I know how this feels. Years later I still piece parts of the puzzle together, and I know what it feels like to be in that situation every single day that it happened. What I didn't know was how to cope with what was happening and how to release those frustrations that I kept inside. I made the decision to get better, and to get help, and for me that was my start to the rest of my life.
I found that every child thinks of just whats inside that school, not what is on the outside of those doors. It's crazy to think of the popularity and all the other stuff that goes on in a school system but, it does.
For years schools did not take harrassment and bullying seriously, and now the price is being paid. Is it ok to sue schools for millions. Well... I would say no... because in the end, the students that weren't involved suffer. So, what do you do? Sue for change in policy and make them stand right by it. Schools have the power to make change, it's just some refuse to do so.
Also remember that you are a taxpayer, and lawsuits that get thrown around, come back around in the form of taxes, or fees later on. :)
The power of writing.
Writing can also be a great way for a child to express themselves to you. Sometimes children fear talking to adults, and a journal may help with this problem. Encourage them to draw, write how they feel, and most important of all keep an eye on their journal for signs and clues. Ask them if they are having trouble in school if you see signs of unhappiness, or maybe they may be having freindship troubles. The point is to always be aware.
Breaking a cycle that a child has developed is not always easy. Some will act as if they will not talk to an adult, but some will right away. Those that refuse, reassure them that it is ok to talk, and never to feel ashamed whatever the problem is. The harder it is to get them to talk the more their self esteem has been battered. Trust me they will talk, but you must listen. Sometimes you'll realize they have been talking all the time you have not paid attention.
Remember this, when the child does start talking and you discover that it has been ongoing for some years, then you need to know that not only do they have self esteem issues but, they also are trying to piece together incidents over that time period. Most of their supressed memories will be bad ones, and if asked they won't remember to many good ones.
It's like taking 1000 cards, each having a different picture, feeling, and emotion to that moment, and throwing them in the air, and over several weeks they slowly piece back together. It is like a flood of emotions, memories, pains, and very vivid details. I was bullied for eight years, and I know how this feels. Years later I still piece parts of the puzzle together, and I know what it feels like to be in that situation every single day that it happened. What I didn't know was how to cope with what was happening and how to release those frustrations that I kept inside. I made the decision to get better, and to get help, and for me that was my start to the rest of my life.
I found that every child thinks of just whats inside that school, not what is on the outside of those doors. It's crazy to think of the popularity and all the other stuff that goes on in a school system but, it does.
For years schools did not take harrassment and bullying seriously, and now the price is being paid. Is it ok to sue schools for millions. Well... I would say no... because in the end, the students that weren't involved suffer. So, what do you do? Sue for change in policy and make them stand right by it. Schools have the power to make change, it's just some refuse to do so.
Also remember that you are a taxpayer, and lawsuits that get thrown around, come back around in the form of taxes, or fees later on. :)
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