Youth motivational speaker Tom Thelen stopped by Granger Middle School and shared his experience with bullying and information about how to help kids.
He said you can’t always prevent your kids from being bullied, so you have to help them handle the situation.
“How are you receiving that information when your child gives it to you,” said Thelen. “I would encourage you in that moment, how are you receiving it? Because if you can receive it with a calm heart, some of that will be transferred back into your daughter.”
After learning about the situation, your first instinct may be to call the school and intervene.
But Thelen says that, unless the bullying is physical, sexual, or repeated, that may not be the best course of action.
Instead, Thelen says you should empower your kid to a positive solution.
That may be simply ignoring an isolated incident to let everyone move on or turning a negative comment into a positive joke.
The key is to not give bullies the negative reaction they’re looking for.
Thelen also gave a presentation to Granger’s students during the school day.
Naperville News 17’s Blane Erwin reports.
