Dr. Sabina Dosani - Bullying: 52 Brilliant Ideas for Keeping Your Children Safe and Secure

CAREFUL NOW

The ideas in this book should help you help your child resolve the difficult situations he has found himself in. However you dont have to do it all alone. If the emotional wounds are too deep psychologists and other therapists are there to help. Dont forget to inform your childs school if bullying is going on and and if things really get out of hand dont be afraid to involve the police.

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Copyright Infinite Ideas Limited, 2008

The right of Sabina Dosani to be identified as the author of this book has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

First published in 2008 by
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Brilliant ideas

Everyone can learn to profile the common types of bully, and understanding why people bully helps with planning the response.

Poetry is a beautiful antidote to bullying. Discover how to turn your dark thoughts into lyrical couplets.

Being bullied in your own home is perhaps the worst kind of harassment.

School bus bullying is increasing. It can also have serious consequences. Last year an eleven-year-old schoolboy in the UK hanged himself after being repeatedly taunted on his school bus.

Nothing brings verbal bullies into line like a bit of strip tease. Dont worry, you dont have to get any kit off, but heres how to strip the sting out of taunts.

It sounds a bit hippyish, but taking time out with a group of kids and discussing things while sitting in a circle is a successful anti-bullying measure.

It sounds like something out of Just William or Lord of the Flies, but a pupil-run bully court is a good way to give bullies fair yet firm correction.

If youre being bullied, its important not to attempt to deal with it alone. But telling a caring teacher, parent, relative or friend is often easier said than done.

You know the expression, twos company but threes a crowd? A crowd is a brilliant way of deterring bullies.

If bullying persists, despite the schools involvement, moving schools may be the best way of moving on from bullies.

Over half of our communication is done with our bodies. Changing your body language can change you from would-be victim to someone bullies will walk away from.

Self-defence might sound as if Im suggesting that you beat bullies to a pulp, but good self-defence also means doing all you can to avoid a fight, using brain before brawn.

If you run regularly, you acquire some important anti-bullying attributes.

Helping children talk and get to know one other fosters accepting attitudes and broad-mindedness.

Traffic lights are not just for traffic. Find out how the three familiar lights can act as a prompt for a powerful technique that has helped children all over the world.

A visit from a baby has dramatically reduced bullying in schools in Canada, in Aboriginal communities in Australia, in New Zealand, the UK and the US.

Making a collage that expresses who you are helps you get to know yourself and feel better about yourself, too. It can also be great fun.

Its a Gr8 way 2 tlk 2 friends, but it can also be a Gr8 way 4 bullies 2 hurt U.

Does your childs school have anti-bullying guidelines or rules about bullying? Is it just lip service or does it really work? Discover which strategies make a difference.

Bullies are more likely to pick on kids who dont have many friends. But what if you dont have anyone special to share your thoughts, dreams and fun time?

If you want to speak to someone about being bullied, but cant face speaking to a parent or teacher, consider calling a helpline.

This no-blame approach comes from New Zealands national anti-bullying programme, Kia Kaha.

Acting as if bullying doesnt matter is an important step towards getting rid of bullies. If they believe you dont care, theyll move elsewhere.

Many bullying experts tell kids to just walk away. Kids tell me its not that easy. Heres how to walk away and look confident.

War games like battleships are almost as universal as bullying. They teach kids strategy, tactics and a desire to win. But what games teach them about respect, justice and peace?

When it feels as if theyre on the front line, battling bullies endlessly, having a shield to fend off the attacks can make a huge difference to younger kids.

Its hard to believe in yourself when youre continually told you suck or that youre a loser. These techniques help immunise you against the long-term effects of bullying.

Having someone to look up to can change your attitude to being bullied and turbocharge your bully-busting efforts.

Bullying is unkind. This idea helps you counteract that nastiness with random acts of kindness.

Sometimes kids want to tell someone about a bully, but dont want to risk making it worse. A bully box helps them report bullying without having to mention names.

Asking bullies to repeat what theyve said is often enough to put them off. Theyll often be fazed. Most havent got the nerve to say it again when you ask them to.

Those ancient Greeks were on to something. Apollo, god of sun and light, was also god of medicine and music.

Many people whove been bullied have been helped by keeping a diary.

Some kids become very hot-tempered when theyre bullied. Angry, aggressive outbursts invariably make bullying worse.

Has your child been pushed around, kicked or shoved? This hands-on idea is a fail-safe route to helping them feel better.

You know the saying, do what youve always done and get what youve always got? Its true. This idea helps kids use their brains to find new solutions to bullying.

Every year, schoolchildren take their lives because they cant cope with any more bullying.

Mumbling or speaking like a squeaky little mouse will mark you out as potential prey. Speak boldly and clearly, and bullies are likely to take their unwanted attention elsewhere.

Bullying erodes self-esteem. But there is a lot that parents and teachers can do to increase kids feelings of self-worth.

If bullying is so bad that your child is spending a lot of time at home, it might make sense to learn at home full time.

Being bullied is no joke. But finding something to laugh at means you and not the bully can have the last laugh.