Anti-bullying advocate offers helpful tips for concerned parents

By Staff Writer

A bullying survivor turned activist recently provided tips for parents who are trying to help a bullied son or daughter.

Jodee Blanco, an educator and author who travels the country to share her story with teachers, students and parents, believes that bullying encompasses overt acts of cruelty, such as verbal harassment and physical abuse, as well as the deliberate omission of kindness.

She suggests that parents should not tell their children to ignore bullies and walk away because adult logic does not work on kids. In addition, the message being conveyed to kids is that they should avoid social situations because of the immature behavior of other individuals. Instead of telling them to keep away from specific settings, which encourages them to isolate, arrange a fresh social outlet - such as a public library or a park district - that will help them make new friends.

Blanco says that parents should ask their kids for the names of the bullies and record each bullying incident. While some schools will not take action after receiving one complaint, she said that a documented log of bullying occurrences and a partnership of parents who have the same names will force the school's hand to take administrative action against the bullies.

The American Justice Department reports that one out of every four kids is abused by another youth.