Safety
Do you know if your child is being bullied?
Here are some signs to watch for: Feelings of rejection, low self-esteem, poor grades at school, isolation, withdrawal from group activities at school and outside of school, aggressiveness, nervousness, extreme sensitivity, fear or refusal to go to school.
What is bullying? Psychologists define bullying as a power relationship carried on by one individual or a group of individuals towards another person. Bullying does not necessarily need to be brutal or of physical violence. Rumours, threats and hurtful words also lead to feelings of rejection.
What does bullying look like? Teasing, hair pulling, pushing, pinching, touching without consent, insulting somebody by making crude, sexist, racist or homophobic remarks, spreading rumours, threatening looks, unsightly gestures, writing unpleasant things about somebody (on paper or by email), threatening or scaring somebody, stealing, "taxing" (extortion of money and personal items).
Targets for bullying: Choice of clothing, physical differences or faults (fast, slow, big or small development), distinctive characteristics of parents (different education from other parents of the region, religion, origin, language), nutritional habits, speech impediments, introverted personality, solitary person.
What should children do? Do not answer back with verbal violence. Ignore the insults by walking with your head up high. If you witness bullying towards another student, it is best to immediately refer what you have seen to an adult.
What should parents do? Discuss the problem with your child and try to obtain the name of the bully. Discuss the problem with the teacher and the principal of the school. Advise the child, but try not to do everything in his or her place. Guide the child towards out-of-school activities.
Do not encourage verbal or physical violence as a suitable means of defense. Do not trivialize the problem. Take it seriously!
(Source: Mia Lambert, Jeunesse J'ecoute and Annie Fernandez, Le Journal de Quebec)
Education
Is your child old enough to stay at home alone?
Before deciding to leave your child home alone, first consider:
Is your child legally old enough to be home alone?
Is your child confident and independent?
Can your child use the phone effectively and follow emergency instructions?
Are there trusted adults nearby for back-up help if needed?
Prepare a plan with your child before leaving them home alone, which includes these safety procedures:
Practice locking and unlocking doors with your child.
Show your child where the first aid kit is kept, and review first aid and safety rules.
Prepare an emergency power black-out kit with flashlight and battery operated radio.
Discuss what your child will do if someone knocks at the door or telephones.
Arrange for back-up help from a trusted friend or neighbour.
Discuss phone rules and whether your child may have friends to visit.
Review emergency phone numbers with your child and post them in an easy access location.
Tell your child to lock all doors once safely home and call you to check in periodically.
(Source: Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada: �Does This Ring a Bell�, a pamphlet for parents on after-school options for children.)
Did you know?
BGCCS Delta/Richmond
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