Stop the Fat Chat Already!

Much of what is written about bullying focuses on what to do if your child is a victim. Little is written on what to do if your child is actually a bully. When parents find out their child has been bullying others, I have witnessed them initially respond in a variety of different ways: utter shame and guilt, tempered anger, quiet embarrassment or denial and defensiveness.

Neither response is ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ and frankly, I would never want to be in that position.

We want our…

“Letters To My Bully,” A Lesson in Empathy

By Katherine Prudente, LCAT, RDT

Huffington Post blogger Kergan Edwards-Stout posted an interview with Azaan Kamau, editor of the new anthology,“Letters To My Bully.” Mr. Edwards-Stout wrote the preface to the anthology as well as a letter to his own bully. He was the target of cruel bullying for years after coming out as a gay teen.

After reading Mr. Edwards-Stouts letter, I sat teary-eyed at my desk. Empathy. It was powerful,…

Hi again!

Summer is almost over, and that means kids will be back in the classroom soon. While childhood bullying doesn't go away during school breaks, it seems we hear more about it in the media during the fall, winter and spring.

My best friend is a Special Ed teacher in the States. In her school district, the kids start back tomorrow. Over the years, she has told me about some of her more difficult students, including a boy, now 16, who has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, ADHD…