Teach your children well

There is much talk about bullying these days. What should be done? How should we do it? Who should do it? And the list goes on. A new anti-bullying law has even been suggested.

Each of these questions are relevant and must be carefully considered. In addition, all parents have to get involved and act positively when bullying occurs, whether or not it involves their child.

There is a possibility that bullying has its roots in the home. All of us as children watch our parents more closely than our parents realize and could misinterpret the meaning or intent of what we hear. If this is the case, our parents could unwittingly be the source of bullying activity some time in the future.

To hear that your child is considered a bully would surely be an unwelcome shock and difficult as it would be the right approach would be check the fact thoroughly and fairly. Then talk with the child with an eye to resolving the situation positively. If punishment is considered it should be something that will serve to change the child’s outlook.

The victims must also receive positive counselling designed to restore their damaged selfesteem for they are not at all responsible for the treatment they received.

I don’t see any point in enacting a new law since that would only serve to create new batch of criminals and would clog the already overcrowded courts.

The solution lies in the way we treat our children as they are growing up. We are not likely to find a bully among children who feel good about themselves. I don’t remember where I heard this but it sure makes sense to me: “Children are the only future the human has, teach them well!” Vic Foster Sydney