How to be Smart About a Bully

"Hello, my name is Melisa Schenk and on behalf of Expert Village. Today we're going to talk about how to deal with a bully. In this clip let's talk about being smart. When talking about bullying with your children, you can use smart as actually an acrynom. S, of course stands for stay safe. It's very important at school or anywhere for that matter to be aware of your surroundings and of course to stay safe. Safety is number one. The M, make connections with people. It's important again, to discuss with your children, people you can talk to but making connections, making friends with people, making connections with the people that you trust, that you find most trust worthy. The A, be assertive. Always stand up for yourself. In upcoming clips, that's what we're going to be talking about today, how to deal with a bully, but how to deal with yourself mainly. Asserting yourself, taking charge, standing up for yourself. In the next clip we'll be talking about self esteem, that is key, the most important thing is confidence. The R, realize your options. You do have options, you don't have to take whatever the bully is giving to you, you have options. You always have a choice and that is the key element to spread the sunshine and we'll talk about that in future clips as well. And finally the T, if you can try to talk it out. Talk it over with an adult, talk it over with someone, if you can perhaps with a mediator, the bully and the person being bullied, try to talk it out and try to solve the problem. It doesn't always work but it is at least a start to being smart. So be smart with talking to your children."