Mom Congress for Parenting Magazine: Alabama Delegate Jerri Ann Reason
Posted on Mar 25, 2011 10:10:58 PM
When I read the words “Alabama Delegate” I immediately think of my father. Many of you know that I lost my dad in 1988 and it’s been a long lonely bunch of years. Recently his mother and this week his brother both passed away. So, now more than ever, I take my role as the Alabama Delegate to Mom Congress for Parenting Magazine very seriously. You should too.
I am interested to see what you all would like for me to learn while I am participating in Mom Congress as well as anything you would like me to share. I’m all ears……let me have your best thoughts!
Email me your questions or suggestions to jareason (at) gmail (dot) com
Mom Congress, PTA/PTO and You
Posted on Mar 10, 2011 12:49:45 PM
As many of you already know, I’ve been selected by Parenting Magazine as a delegate to represent Alabama in Washington DC in April at Mom Congress. And, if you are following the events in DC right now, you know that the PTA National Legislative Conference is in high gear right now. With that, I want to bring a big piece of the puzzle to you here.
Whether it is face to face bullies, cyber bullies, behind the back bullies and regardless of whether it is gender specific, bullying is bullying and you can put a stop to it. And if you have children, you’ve probably heard or read the horror stories. The time is now to step up and make sure that you children are protected. If nothing else, make sure your child is not the bully. Our children deserve that!
While that guy is hanging out in my front yard, keeping me from going outdoors at all, children are affected in much the same way. Bullies will cause children to withdraw and not want to even go to school. How is it that I can speak so confidently on this topic?
I was bullied. Not only was I bullied by classmates, boys and girls, I was bullied by teachers, made fun of because I was tenderhearted and got my feelings hurt easily and often cried in front of everyone. I know what it feels like to have a stomach ache that no one can diagnosis it as having an origin only to be told it is “all in my head”. I know that it wasn’t all in my head, it was the kid tripping me on the school bus and causing me to fall, the kids making me cry so they could laugh at me when they realized they had succeeded, it was the teacher who pushed the limits and made me cry, knowing full well that my classmates would make fun of me.
I know what the bully looks like. The average bully doesn’t look like that one above but instead…bullies look…just like me and you. Can I say I have never bullied anyone? No, I cant’. I don’t recall actually using bullying as a tactic but peer pressure? Probably way more than what should be acceptable. You aren’t immune and your children are growing up in a more difficult society than you did. Keep up with them. Listen when the talk. Get to the bottom of any conflict you sense from your children.
It’s your responsibility as a parent, and certainly as a teacher as well, to keep your children safe. Bullying is not just part of growing up. Far too many children have cut their lives short on the heels of some of the most simplistic bullying. Others have run to drugs, the street, and straight into the head wind of danger due to the horrible effects of bullies. Talk to your children today. Ask them questions. Find out if they are being bullied, feeling peer pressure, overwhelmed or worse yet, listen to see if they are the one that’s guilty of pushing the limits.
- 1/3 of teens report being bullied at school
- 20% of teens have been made fun of by a bully, 18 percent had rumors or gossip spread about them
- 11% of teens were physically bullied and reported being shoved, tripped or spit on
- 6 percent were threatened
- 5% were excluded from activities
- 4% were coerced into doing something they didn’t want to do
- 4 % had their personal belongs destroyed by bullies
- 4% of teens reported being victims of cyber bulling (and these are 2009 statistics, 2010 aren’t available quite yet it seems)
- Most bullying occurred inside the school, read that right in front of our eyes sometimes
- 1/3 of the victims report the bullying to someone (give these kids an outlet, please)
- 1 in 10 teens are bullied daily. How many children/teens are in your classroom? Think about it, you are not immune.
- Females and white students reported the most incidents of being victims of bullying
- 44 percent of middle schools reported bullying problems
Think a 3rd grader can’t bully a peer? What about a 5th grader?
Ok, soapbox down, sermon over.