Anti-Bullying Education a Fad? Not in Our Book!

I was recently talking to a man about our book, Bully in the Barnyard, and he told me that he believed the whole "bullying stuff" is being overdone. I wasn't sure what he meant, so I asked him to explain. With some bravado, he told me that he was bullied as a kid, and he turned out just fine. He said that proves that this "anti-bullying stuff" is just a fad and is worthless. To be honest, he didn't use the word, "stuff", but I won't use the word he did. You get it. Of course, he added that we need to toughen our kids up because we are raising a "generation of sissies." Yes, you've heard all this before.

I would agree that the term "bully" is sometimes overused, and that every unkind act is not bullying. But when does a normal kid who needs to learn some manners turn into a true bully? What line is crossed when one person's behavior makes someone else feel small, insignificant, and worthless? And even worse, when does that feeling of insignificance lead to consequences that can't be undone? And is there culpability?

My generation was told, "Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you." We know better. Words do hurt. When I talk to kids about bullying we talk about how words may not change your outside, but the constant barrage of cruel words can leave what one child has described as "a scar on your heart."

Yet that man insists that anti-bullying education is unimportant and a fad because he turned out fine. I know someone who had polio, and she turned out fine also. So according to the man's logic, was the Salk vaccine a worthless fad?

Please weigh in on this. Is there too much talk about bullying, or are we finally dealing with a subject that has been a problem for far too long? Let's get a conversation started.

www.E2books.com

How About a Do Over?

Happy New Year, and welcome to It’s Elementary….Take Two. Does this sound like a “do over”? Well, it is. Although my Logical Self knows that there is nothing magical about January 1, my Emotional Self has decided that as 2013 begins, I need to do something new. Or at least try something old again! After all, if you buy into all the New Year’s hype (and I do), January first is the time to begin to lose weight, finish that manuscript, go after that new job, find your soul mate, and basically make yourself perfect. Ach! Not many of us can live up that that, so I am starting small. I’ve always felt bad that I did not continue my blog a few years ago, so I decided it’s time for a “do over.” Now let me explain the name. My original blog discussed writing for children, school visits, and anything else that had to do with my ever evolving literary journey. The name of that dear departed blog was Elementary, Dear Reader. The books Ellen Rothberg and I have written are mostly read by elementary school kids, and the reference to Sherlock Holmes was because blogging was, and still is, quite a mystery to me. Pretty clever, huh?  Well, not clever enough to keep me going, but both Logical Self and Emotional Self knows that we are all allowed a “do over.” I hope you will join me in my “do over” where I will again talk about fun author visits to wonderful schools, the frustration of the publication process, the craziness of marketing when you know zero about marketing, and so much more! I will be interviewing other authors as well as illustrators, and of course, I will keep you updated on E2’s continuous journey. So happy New Year, and please join me in It’s Elementary....Take Two. Please comment, ask questions, give advice, and become part of my “do over” community. With your help, maybe this one will take!

www.e2books.com