Be a Buddy, Not a Bully

February 10, 2011

As we get older, we become more and more confortable saying what we think. It’s almost like the filter in our brain has dissolved. I understand that teenagers can get caught up in the new-found freedom of growing up, but you have to remember the feelings of others that you may hurt along the way.

There is a difference in being obnoxious and being a bully. Teenage girls talk a lot and rude words slip out sometimes. However, you cross the line when you hurt someone intentionally. You become a verbal bully. A verbal bully picks on others to make themselves feel better. Verbal bullying can also lead to physical bullying if it escalates.

If you are a person that bullies, just remember that the person being bullied will remember what you’ve said or done for the rest of their life. The painful memories of being picked on will be forever burned into the back their mind. Bullying can have a significant influence over the way the victim thinks and actions they take. The consequences of bullying are not worth the power you may feel from participating in the bullying.

If you are a bystander of bullying, don’t be scared to speak up. If you’re too shy to confront the bully directly, comfort the person that has been the victim of the bullying. You have no idea how much you could help them. Sometimes all the victim needs is to know that someone cares. You could also talk to your school counselor, teacher or coach about the situation. If you are familiar with the bully, talk to them about it but don’t be hostile. If you behave the opposite of how the bully behaves, they will have a difficult time defending themselves.

If you don’t do anything to stop the bullying, you’re just as guilty as the bully.

Written by Chelsea · Filed Under Life Advice

Girl Talk! An Exclusive Event for St. Louis Moms & Their Tween & Teen Daughters

February 3, 2011

This event is FREE and open to the public.

Do you ever wish your mom just understood the way you feel? Do you worry about the issues both of you will face in middle and high school? In a quickly changing world where technology is shaping the way we all communicate with each other, and more teens are dealing with peer pressure and stress, parents find it …difficult to keep up and want to know how to help.

In this interactive workshop, Carrie Silver-Stock, MSW, LCSW, author and teen expert, will share tips every mom and daughter can use.

What You Will Learn:
· Key issues tweens and teens face and how to talk about it with each other.
· How to talk so you can both hear each other.
· How to create a foundation of trust in your relationship.
· How to stay safe with technology online and offline.
· How to deal with cyber bullying, texting, and the internet.
· How to deal with the Secrets Girls Keep.

Details: Wednesday, February 16 · 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Ladue Chapel Fellowship Hall, 9450 Clayton Road, Ladue, MO . Feel free to RSVP on Facebook!

Carrie Silver-Stock, MSW, LCSW, is a social worker and the founder of www.girlswithdreams.com, a social networking site that provides support, advice, and tips on the issues girls struggle with most. She has appeared on NBC, FOX, CBS, and numerous radio programs in addition to contributing articles to many media outlets. She is passionate about hearing and inspiring teens to help them find their own way. Carrie is an award winning author and has written two books, The Powder Box Secrets and Secrets Girls Keep (HCI).