Reader Emma has lots of great advice for anyone coping with bullying; read on for her top tips on how to handle things…
Emma says:
Bullying is a serious issue that most of us have to deal with at some point in our lives. Not necessarily just in the playground, but perhaps in the workplace and the adult world. I remember reading a statistic that stated an estimated 1 in 4 people experience bullying at some stage in their lives. However, I firmly believe that if we work together we can stop or at least minimise the cycle of bullying. Here are some suggestions that may help…
- Don't fight back. When we find ourselves in such a situation, our automatic reaction is to fight back. This is only natural, but it is important to call on our inner strength and not do so. This kind of reaction is what the bully wants. It is important not to give in to it, they are not worth your energy.
- Accept support. At a time like this, you may feel like shutting people out and secluding yourself. However, this will only make you more vulnerable. Not only will the bully be able to target you more easily, but emotionally you will feel worse than ever with nobody to talk to. Although it may not always seem that way, there are very few situations where talking things through with someone you trust won't make it all a little easier.
- Ending the situation. If the bullying progresses and gets out of hand the best thing you can do is to tell an adult you trust. Although you may think of it as 'snitching' this could not be further from the truth. Your youth is meant to be one of the most enjoyable periods of your life. You deserve to enjoy this time and not have it ruined by anyone.
Until we deal again…
Emma x
Top picture posed by model Katherine - many thanks! Bottom pic is the lovely Emma, of course!
Cathy says:
Good advice as always from Emma on the age-old problem of bullying. Would YOU add some suggestions to this? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...
Bullying is a serious issue that most of us have to deal with at some point in our lives. Not necessarily just in the playground, but perhaps in the workplace and the adult world. I remember reading a statistic that stated an estimated 1 in 4 people experience bullying at some stage in their lives. However, I firmly believe that if we work together we can stop or at least minimise the cycle of bullying. Here are some suggestions that may help…
- Don't fight back. When we find ourselves in such a situation, our automatic reaction is to fight back. This is only natural, but it is important to call on our inner strength and not do so. This kind of reaction is what the bully wants. It is important not to give in to it, they are not worth your energy.
- Accept support. At a time like this, you may feel like shutting people out and secluding yourself. However, this will only make you more vulnerable. Not only will the bully be able to target you more easily, but emotionally you will feel worse than ever with nobody to talk to. Although it may not always seem that way, there are very few situations where talking things through with someone you trust won't make it all a little easier.
Until we deal again…
Emma x
Top picture posed by model Katherine - many thanks! Bottom pic is the lovely Emma, of course!
Cathy says:
Good advice as always from Emma on the age-old problem of bullying. Would YOU add some suggestions to this? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...
JUST ASK!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe help is there for you, believe me! Ask more than one person for help if you need to: they might be able to offer you different ways of coping with it while the bullying is dealt with. When I was being bullied at college by a group of girls in my form, I told about three different teachers, and each one dealt with the bullying differently until it stopped, and the bullies learnt that just because a situation has changed, it doesn't mean bullying is acceptable.
My best advice is to ask for help the minute the bullying starts: doing this acts as a deterrent as well as a punishment. The earlier on the lesson is learned that bullying is not acceptable, the faster it will be resolved.
I really like your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteHalf the time teachers don't do anything. The kid gets away with a slap on the wrist and the teachers don't do anything about it. Don't bother with talking to teachers.
ReplyDeleteEl