Caring Kids

Teach Kids to Handle Peer Pressure

When my son was in grade school, he came home talking about a new kid at school that looked and acted a little different. The new student was taunted by friends of my son and they did not make him feel welcome. My son was neutral and did not step in to make the poor kid feel good either.

This was an opportunity for me to talk about having compassion for others and doing the right thing despite the peer pressure to do the opposite. I asked him to put himself in the shoes of the new student and see how he would feel being taunted because others did not like the way he looked.

I also let him know that those who bully are often bullied themselves at home and he needs to have some compassion for his friends who bullied.

--Dovemom

Emphasize Respect for Others

As a mother of 3, I've always made it a point to show my children injustices and how to respect others. I've told them that you don't have to be someone's best friend to show respect. I think that has gone a long way in how they handle situations at school.

My son was telling me in his 7th grade class how some students were being mean and making fun of one of the special education students. He said that he was kind to her and talked with her. I was so proud that he had shown respect for this child and did not join in with the other kids. Whenever you see something or hear of someone being treated unfairly, take that time to teach them what compassion is.

--Sarahsmile40