Bullies! The Truth.

Given my first hand knowledge and training in education and emotional handicaps I offer this concise answer to the problem of bullying. I was bullied big time (skinny, kind, gullible red head all during elementary and some middle school). Kid's don't learn to stand up to bullies by remaining or continuing to be exposed to their threats. It's heart crushing and terrifying when you are alone during it all.

Removing them or separating them as much as you can strengthens them to see the truth that this bullying behavior is "abnormal", they are not alone - "others get bullied", "bad behaving people" are not worth being friends with, "God will judge them one day.", "school is not your whole life", etc. The reality of these comforting truths become clearer to children the more they stay away from the bullying environment. It's healthy to remove them from that environment.

Bullying is very serious, especially when a child is confused about it. Don't take it lightly. Bullying could definitely be the cause of stomach pains if your child complains of it. This comes from a continual anxious feeling of being trapped, and they may be afraid to "tattle" or talk about the true extent of the bullying because the bully promised to "give it to them" if they tell. So you see it's a vicious cycle! As a mom now, I wish one of my parents could have come to the playground and scolded the bullies in front of everyone and yes, hurt their feelings.