Coping with bullies

School will be starting and that means children will be back on the play ground.   Bullying is wrong, and can be equally traumatic for kids who are innocent bystanders!  Here are a few tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics for you to share with your child if he/she witnesses bullying.
•    Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying.
•    Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
•    Help your child support other children who may be bullied.  Encourage your child to include these children in activities.
•    Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop.

Mary Ircink, parish nurse