Peanut Butter Bullies - What Is Happening with Our Kids?
In a world where parents seem to go out of their way to protect their children from imagined dangers, the real danger seems to be right in front of us...with kids themselves.
How did we come to a place where our kids don't care or don't seem to be aware of the consequences of their actions?
Take these 2 stories (there are many more) of kids smearing peanut butter on allergic kids:
I don't believe for a second that deep in their minds, these kids knew exactly what the potential ramifications of their actions were. When I was a kid, we didn't really know about these allergies, but in school's today the awareness is everywhere with peanut products being completely banned in many classrooms. These kids know EXACTLY why and what can happen if a child who is allergic is exposed to peanuts.
Now, I'm not going on a big peanut butter diatribe. In fact, it annoys me to no end when I'm rushed in the morning and I can't throw together a peanut butter sandwich for his lunch. But still, I gotta follow the rules.
What I don't understand is how bullies get this way? Are kids just no longer responsible for their actions, are they allowed to lie...what is it?
In my short near 7 years as a parent, I've observed some parent of bully behavior that might contribute:
- Parents that defend or cover up for their children, even when they've done wrong.
- Parents who allow the older siblings to bully the younger, so that the youngest ends up lashing out at kids at school.
- Parents that bully their own kids.
posted by Alice at 9:09 AM
NEW! 
2 Comments:
I also do not understand the behavior of the parents of bullies. I had a roommate and her son was bullied a lot. I was the one that went to the school to get things taken care of. I explained to the office that since nothing had been taken care of with the situation, I had instructed the child to defend himself and not to worry about getting into trouble at home. The office door was closed and I was told, "I wish more parents were like you and kids did that....we would have a lot less bullies." The bullies pick on the kids that will not defend themselves and as soon as those kids do defend themselves, the bullies move on. I have taught my son to not be a bully. He got suspended from school one day because he was sticking up for another child that was getting jumped by five other boys. WHAT!?! I took him to McDonald's as a treat because most kids would have joined in with the five instead of standing up for the one. I was very proud of my boy! :-)
My son is still too young,3 years old, but I saw him being bullied by some 10 year old kid in the ferry play center today. He was quick to ignore him and play with something else until he was gone.
But I don't know how I should react in these situations I teach him not be a bully and at the same time I don't want him to just give in.
I know with the age difference he was right to let go but I saw him to just let go of the game or something he wanted because some other kid in his age was persistence.
So I guess what I want to say, to raise kids not to be bully is good, but to raise them with high self-esteem and I don't maybe brave enough to stand for themselves is a must.
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