How to Choose Clothes for Overweight Girls

When I was eight years old, back in 1972, I was put on a diet by a doctor. I weighed 100 pounds. I heard all the fat girl names from' schoolmates, 'tubby' 'whale-o' 'blubber' , plus even some that were probably original. I will say this for 70's kids, they took some pains to be creative in their name -calling: 'lardo': pretty inventive for the oleo-margarine generation. From those early experiences, I developed a nasty case of low self-esteem. I decided that my kids were going to have it better, whether they were thin or fat. I can't fix kids' behavior, but I can do everything possible to reduce stress. One way is by choosing clothes that make kids feel good about themselves. Here's a guide I put together for parents to do that   How to Choose Clothes for Overweight Girls

Verbal bullying: 7 kinds of talk that kids shouldn't be subjected to

No parent is perfect, and I'm no exception. I've used inappropriate language and said things I shouldn't around my kids. But that doesn't mean I don't have standards about what I do and don't want my kids to hear. Some kinds of language constitute verbal harassment and bullying. I may not be able to protect my kids from everything, but I can certainly stand up to objectionable things. No matter who is saying these things, be they friend or family, there are certain kinds of talk that I won't subject my kids to. If it comes on television, the set goes off. My kids know that songs that use these words don't come in the house.  7 kinds of talk that kids shouldn't be subjected to 

There's Solidarity with Mom Who Choked Facebook Bully

When first reading about Debbie Piscitella, the Florida mother who ABC News Blogs says choked a Facebook bully in her 14-year-old daughter's defense, I was inclined to pontificate. According to the article, the kid wrote on Facebook that Piscitella's daughter was a "fat (deleted) whale and didn't deserve to live because she is so nasty that he wouldn't even rape her." That makes the mother bear in me want to disassemble the kid like a jigsaw puzzle and leave few pieces out. Read more at There's Solidarity with Mom Who Choked Facebook Bully

Bullying Issues: Parents Wrong to Sue School for Son's Tattoos

The parents of a boy who was tattooed against his will have sued Concord School District in New Hampshire. Michael and Tammy Austin claim the school was negligent and didn't protect their son from bullying, the Concord Monitor reports. This kind of lawsuit highlights misunderstandings about bullying and the dangers of not teaching kids to take ownership for their problems. Parents Wrong to Sue School for Son's Tattoos

Bullying Parents Get Kids' Easter Egg Hunt Canceled

The Associated Press story of bullying Easter egg hunt parents in Colorado Springs, Colo., who got their event canceled for egg-snatching doesn't surprise me. I've been a mom for 23 years; those guerrilla parents were around then, too. It's why I stopped taking the children to some of those kiddie-freebies. Extreme Easter Egg Hunting Parent-Style is Scary

Facebook is Right to Nix Teen Photo Competitions

Concerned parents have succeeded in getting a "Most Beautiful Teen in the World" Facebook page pulled. Kids were uploading photos of themselves, sometimes scantily clad in sexualized poses, for the approval or disapproval of the Internet masses, ABC News reports.

Now there's a recipe for disaster: Nubile youths throwing their images into cyberspace to be critiqued by who knows who. I'm bothered by kids splashing images of themselves about to start with. Mix in some shirtless or bikini-clad photos and that just escalates my concerns. Those photos of bare-chested boys with thin arms and concave chests are pitiful. It gets worse; there are "most ugly teen" contests too. Read more at Facebook is Right to Nix Teen Photo Competitions 

Sexual Harassment, Bullying Prevention Among Middle and High School Students

Sexual Harassment, Bullying Prevention Among Middle and High School Students List a parent's top ten fears about middle and high school and sexual harassment will be one of them. A recent survey by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) confirmed that parents should be concerned. The study revealed that 48 percent of students in grades 7-12 report that they have sexually harassed in some way at school or through electronic communications. Here is a Q-and-A about kids and sexual harassment. Read on...

Study Says Sexual Harassment, Bullying Common Among Middle School Kids

Study Says Sexual Harassment Common Among Middle, High School Kids A survey by the American Association of University Women showed statistics that might surprise many parents. Forty-eight percent of students in grades 7-12 report they have experienced some form of sexual harassment. Here are some facts about bullying and school sexual harassment in light of recent issues and legislation. Read more..

Over Protective Parent or Over Controlling Bully?

Over Protective Parent or Over Controlling Bully?
You've seen these families before. Mom and dad ordering their children around, scolding, nagging and keeping their children very much under their thumb. All too often parents confuse over controlling bullying with over protective parenting.
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