We partnered with JIMMY Patterson Books to share this post about Teaching Our Kids About Being Nice When Others Aren’t and Giveaway. However, ALL opinions are my own.
It was in third grade that drama between the girls in my daughters class started. They would be friends one moment and then “not like each other” each other the next. Mean things would be said, people would feel left out and I remember having daily discussions with my daughter about how she should deal with it all. I found myself telling her that…
- Unfortunately people can be mean and while we can’t control how people treat us, we can control how we react to it.
- You are not going to be friends with everyone and that is OK but you do have to be nice.
- Sometimes people have bad days or say things they do not mean.
- No matter what, I am always here to help. While I’d rather she resolve her own issues if that isn’t working, I will gladly give her the support she needs.
- She can always talk to me…about anything. I have always encouraged it and make it a point to engage in those conversations so that she continues to feel comfortable doing so. If I don’t know what is going on, I am unable to help.
What do you do to teach your child not to be a bully? How have you dealt with your child being bullied?
Before the end of the school year, I attended an event at my daughter’s school and a parent pulled me to the side to chat. With tears in her eyes she began to share that her 5th grade daughter was having a rough time at school. She went on to say what her daughter had been dealing with, kids being really mean to her, and that she just wanted to let me know that she was thankful for my daughter. Apparently my daughter was taking the time to talk to this girl, defend her and include her and it had really meant a lot to them. My heart was breaking for this mom and her child but my heart was also full of pride.
I am so proud of my baby girl. As a parent you never know if your children are going to actually apply the lessons you spend so much time trying to teach them. As she prepares to enter middle school, I am super nervous about “mean girls” but as much as I’d like to protect her from it, it is a part of life. All I can do is prepare her for it so that she knows how to handle it. I also try to reaffirm all of the things that make her so wonderful so that she remembers those truths and not the hurtful lies people may say.
My son goes into third grade next year and while I assume there won’t be as much drama since he is a boy, there will be discussions to be had to make sure he is being nice to others. Hopefully some of what I have already told his sister is stored in his memory some where. This summer, I am having the kiddos read Pottymouth and Stoopid by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein.
David and his best friend Michael were tagged with awful nicknames way back in preschool when everyone did silly things. Fast-forward to seventh grade: “Pottymouth” and “Stoopid” are still stuck with the names—and everyone in school, including the teachers and their principal, believe the labels are true. So how do they go about changing everyone’s minds? By turning their misery into megastardom on TV, of course! Follow their roller-coaster journey from the ultimate losers to the biggest winners, with more than 100 hilarious illustrations in this signature Patterson format. And this important story delivers more than just laughs—it shows that the worst bullying doesn’t have to be physical . . . and that things will get better.
Drown out the bullies with this giveaway prize!
One winner receives a copy of Pottymouth and Stoopid, plus a pair of kids’ wireless noise reduction headphones.
*Open to US addresses only. Prizing provided by JIMMY Patterson Books
Pottymouth and Stoopid Prize Pack giveaway
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In what ways do you teach your children about being nice when others aren’t?
My tip is to not let others get you down. I was bullied or teased as a kid and I used to think it was the end of the world. That time will pass (middle school seems to be the worst time for it).
Kids should surround themselves with friends who are nice and kind. If someone else bullies them, they need to remove themselves from that are and tell an adult.
I tell my kids that the people who are bullies are hurting and they are trying to hurt other people. we choose to try to help other people and treat people the way we want to be treated instead.
Treat others as you want to be treated If you see or go through bullying tell some one.
My tip is to let the child know they should never be afraid to let a trusted adult know when they are being bullied.
My best tip for kids when it comes to bullying is to treat others how YOU want to be treated.
The biggest thing I would tell my kids if being bullied is to use the buddy system and always tell a friend and an adult. They need to know that if a kid is doing it to them that they are probably doing it to others as well.
Never let them know that you are afraid and stand up for yourself
I teach my kids the golden rule
we have talked about how bullying would make my child feel and how to stand up for others being bullied and if they are bullied report it to someone
I tell my kids don’t ever be afraid to tell me if someone is bullying you or tell an adult at school.
The best tip I have is to teach my child not to be a bully or hang out with bullies. If he is being bullied, to report it to a teacher or me.
The best tip I have is to teach my child not to be a bully or hang out with bullies. If he is being bullied, to report it to a teacher or me.
I tell my girls if someone says something to them and they don’t like it, it hurts their feelings or makes them uncomfortable to come to me about it. I hope that I’ve taught them they can tell me anything. If or when something is brought to me, we work through it together to determine if it’s bullying, playing or is being misunderstood.
My best tip is never try to face it yourself talk to an adult or someone you trust.
My tip is to keep the lines of communication open about bullying and not to let it go on ignored. Work with everyone involved for a solution.
Kids should talk to their parents if they feel they are being bullied.
I’ve always taught my kids to avoid the cause wherever possible!
If what someone is saying to you is very upsetting. Talk to someone you trust that can help!
My best tip is to let their peers know if bullying is going on. This way they can try to put a stop to it before it gets out of hand.
I always told my kids. “Treat people as you would want to be treated”
Don’t be afraid to tell someone. Communication is the key to stopping the cycle.
I tell my kids treat people the way you want to be treated
I tell my daughter to walk away from bullies, to not interact with them and ignore them. Most bullies are just looking for attention anyway.
Make sure kids know that it’s okay to let grown-ups know when kids are picking on them.
Love to win this loving the headphones
Ignore them. If you don’t react in from of them most the time they’ll stop trying. (Plus who cares what people say?)
My best tip is to tell your kiddo to treat others the way you want to be treated!
I’ve been bullied by many people as a kid, and the same thing happened to me each time I was: no one stood up for me. I, of course, defended myself, but all of my friends just stared. I know it’s hard to stand up for someone else. The fear of being outcasted as well is huge when you’re younger. However, standing up to a bully makes you a better person and a better friend. Always stand up for the little guy, when you can.
Truly sorry that you experienced this.
Never be afraid to tell the teacher or principal OR to have them call me at work if anything happens; which, unfortunately, it has 🙁 My eldest son has a learning/language disorder and two school years ago all the bullying came to a head. Long story but, it has affected him to this day.
The buddy system is a big help!! To always step in and NOT allow any kind of bullying, strength in numbers!
I think my tip is think before you speak because you cannot take it back and to reach out to people
I would say to ignore them because they are probably going through something.
I tell my boys to stop and think about what they say and do to others. If it would hurt them if said or done, then don’t do it. There really isn’t a better lesson than do unto others.
Treat others like you want to be treated and stand up for others.
I tell them if they are getting bullied to always be sure to tell a teacher or the principal and to also tell me so I can go to the school and hopefully get the situation resolved.
This is so important. Lifting up those around you is just as important as being happy yourself. Doing something nice is one of the most important things in life.
I have told my kids if they ever see bullying to let me know and I would call school about it. Sometimes kids are scared to say anything.
Bullies are just people who are not happy with themselves and want others to feel like them. A bully will almost always back down if you stand up to them; and if you ignore them, they eventually will give up.
Report bullying right away. Better to be safe then sorry!
This is a hard subject. I guess one of my best tips that I have always talked to my kids about is that words can hurt worse than physically hurting someone. Kids don’t realize how meaningful and hurtful their words can be!
My daughter has been bullied at every school she’s been to. I do whatever I can to get her to a safe and better place! I switched her schools and talked to the principals!
I am so sorry that she has experienced that! I think it is great that she has you as her advocate.
Be kind to everyone. They can always find faults in you.
Bullying and other negative things are going to happen – you can’t control other people. I really encourage my daughter not to hold hurt feelings inside, to talk about them so we can work through them. Keeping it all inside it not good.
Always tell someone!
I always tell children that they need to talk to an adult if they are bullied! Thank you.
Tell an adult immediately. Don’t be afraid.
My tip is to talk to somebody! A friend, a family member, somebody you trust. Never suffer quietly or alone.
Ask “How do you think you would feel?” “How do you think he feels?” Learning to articulate your own feelings and to think of others’ feelings is a good way to avoid anger/bullying.
My best tip for kids is to always tell adults about the bullying.
We have found that many of the kids that do the bullying is a result of the bullies being bullied elsewhere. So, we always try to turn a negative into a positive and compliment the bully and walk away.
I explain to my kids that even though sometimes other people will treat them badly, that doesn’t mean they do the same to back. They have to think about how they would want to be treated and act accordingly. But that it also hurts and it’s okay to acknowledge that hurt. But we can’t hurt back.
I just tell my girls to be nice to everyone and to not to let others influence them as to how they treat someone. I also want them to tell me any time they see anything or if anything happens to them.
I teach her the best I can to make appropriate friends and let adults know whats going on. Bulling is not something to take lightly. Be nice to everyone, it’s much more fun!
Teach empathy, kindness and confidence
I have always said treat everyone as you would want to be treated and if you have a problem communicate it with your teacher
Kindness always wins.
Make sure they stand up for temselves
My tip is to report it to a teacher when it happens.
I teach my kids to treat others how they wish to be treated
I always tell my son to treat people with kindness, they way he deserves to be treated. Also that he can always report anything and be honest with adults that he knows and trusts.
When it comes to bullying, I try to explain why a bully does what they do, and that sometimes people react in an angry manner because that’s what they know. If you stay positive, you’ll remain positive.?
Communicate daily
My best tip is to always tell someone. If they don’t listen tell someone else. Keep saying something until someone listens.
my tip is to report bullying no matter what and if you are afraid to then do it anonymously or tell a parent.
I think it’s important for the kids to be able to open up to an adult and say what’s going on
Always tell someone about being bullied. You shouldn’t have to be bullied when you are outside your home.
Treat others as you want to be treated.
We keep communication open and discuss things often.
I tell my kids to always speak up if something doesn’t seem right.
Treat other how you like to be treated yourself. Tell an adult if you get bullied. Don’t let them get to you. Be the bigger person.
Letting them know it is not them, it’s the bully who isnt happy with themselves.
I try to teach my boys confidence – even if they don’t feel that way at the moment. If someone says your shoes are ugly, you say smile and say something like: Really? Well that’s your opinion then. Everyone has different tastes – I LOVE my shoes! This will usually disarm a bully bc they are looking for a certain type of response. When they don’t get it, they will usually leave you alone.
I teach my kids to treat people like you want to be treated and if you see bullying, let an adult know
open communication
Not to be afraid to tell an adult if they are being bullied.
My best tip is to let someone know so that something can be done about it.
I’ve always taught my kids to treat others how you would like to be treated!
I tell my kids to be yourselfand not worry about what other people think be nice and keep going. Don’t listen to what other kids say because you know the truth and that’s what matters.
My best tip would be to treat others how you want to be treated and to always tell someone when someone else is treating you badly because no one deserves to be pushed around, nobody in the world.
Stand up for yourself. People have a hard time pushing people around that stand up for themselves. Or shrug it off. It isn’t fun to bully someone who doesn’t care. Then lastly, act crazy… people are scared of crazy people.
If you are being bullied, do not hesitate to tell a parent or school teacher, anyone who will listen and respond appropriately, so that something can be done to bring it to an end. My concern rests more so with the victim than it does the bully and his or her reasons for cruelty. Bullying can haunt a person for life.
Always be kind to others. No one is perfect. We all have a flaw.
stay positive
Always treat others with kindness and respect. Also, to have tough skin, but NOT to be afraid to ask for help!
Fortitude within one’s self with a reminder that a bully has insecurity.
I tell my daughter to leave the situation when she’s getting bullied. Nobody deserves to treat someone else badly and you don’t have to stand there and listen!
Talk to your parents, teacher and principal.
I always tell my kids to not be afraid to ask for help.
Always tell an adult!! There are way too many young kids comitting suicide these day. Its really sad
You never know what others are going through, always be kind. You might just make someone’s day!
Bullies are really immature individuals who actually are jealous of you so just ignore them and they will go away.
Teach them to defend themselves.
Always tell an adult. Never stay silent.
To be honest about the situation, involving both sets of parents and possible the school and teachers.
My best tip is to walk away and report the incident right away- either to me or your teacher.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t let others bring you down.