Bullies

I don't like bullies. I dealt with them as a child and teenager. I hated my high school years because of some of the things that they did. What I hate more though is seeing my own children being bullied.

We had a family home evening (our weekly family night) with a lesson on bullying. I have a child who is bullied at school. That issue has been called to the attention of the principal and teachers and is being addressed. The problem I see is my own children being bullies to each other. I do not like the atmosphere that creates in my home.

We sang "Love One Another" for the opening song. The scripture for the lesson came from 1 John 2:10. I read the story of "Bullies and Brothers" for the lesson. Each time someone exhibited what was thought a bully behavior a picture of a bully was held up. If a good or hero behavior was shown, a picture of a superhero was held up. I had found the two pictures through a google search on the Internet. I had enough for each child in my family.

After the lesson we discussed what we thought constituted a bully. I was given the answers of physical harm, name-calling, teasing, put downs and the like. I told them being a bully was whenever you made someone feel inferior and belittled. A hero was someone who made your day better. That could be anything from a simple smile or compliment to standing up for someone.

Before the lesson I researched a couple of sites about bullying so I could discuss bullying with my family. The two sites I used are here and here. I have found having discussion with my family about what we learn and their feeling or opinions really helps. It is interactive and allows me some insight into my children.

No lesson is complete without homework though. The family homework for the week (or however long it takes) is to fill a mason jar with M&Ms. For every kind or "superhero" word or deed a M&M is put into the jar. Once the jar is full, we make a batch of cookies with the M&Ms and have a special family activity. Activities that the kids want are a pizza and movie night and a carnival night. The carnival night is when dinner is carnival food (hot dogs, pizza and nachos, lemonade, funnel cakes and cotton candy). It isn't healthy per se which is why it is a special treat. The breakfast bar becomes a concession stand where the kids order their food and pay with pretend money. The younger ones love it.

To help remind ourselves to not be bullies this week I posted the below picture on our refrigerator since that seems to be the family gathering spot. Below the picture I put the scripture from 1 John 2:10. The jar is on the counter, and hubby has orders to keep his hands out of it (he has a major sweet tooth).