A Parent s Guide to Bullying

Transcription

1 A Newsletter From Your EAP and WorkLife Service A Parent s Guide to Bullying At some point in their childhood, many children will encounter a bully. Being targeted by another child (or group of children) and being picked on or even beaten up is an unfortunate but common rite of passage. Bullying has a far-reaching impact on a child s development. Kids who are bullied often have feelings of low self-worth, symptoms of depression, and poorer mental and physical health than their non-bullied peers. New research indicates that the effects of ongoing bullying worsen over time. For parents, it is important to recognize the signs of bullying early. While physical injuries are the most obvious indications, other signs include: Inventing reasons to avoid going to school or other activities Changing routines or routes to school or not wanting take the bus Sudden disappearance of favorite belongings Dropping grades or poor performance in school If you have concerns about the impact bullying could have on your child, these steps may help: Teach your child the difference between normal teasing and bullying behavior. Encourage your child to tell you if he or she feels bullied. Keep in mind that children are sometimes reluctant to reveal bullying because they feel embarrassed. If your child tells you about bullying, react with concern, but be careful to avoid going overboard or making promises you can t keep. Let your child know that you are on his or her side. Explain to your child that kids who bully are taking their unhappiness out on others. Make it clear that the bullying is not your child's fault. Help your child rehearse appropriate responses to a bully s taunts. Having language to fall back on, such as I would like you to stop, may be helpful. Encourage your child to stay calm and walk away from the bully whenever possible. Remind your child that it is okay to ask for help from a teacher, coach, or other adult.

2 If you feel like the bullying is getting to be more than your child can handle, notify your child s teacher or principal. If you know the other child s parents, you may want to have a conversation with them as well but be certain to stay calm and respectful to avoid escalating the situation further. For more ideas on how to handle bullying concerns, contact LifeMatters. Source: Life Advantages Preparing for Flu Season An estimated percent of the population gets influenza (or the flu ) during the annual flu season, which generally lasts from December thru March. Influenza is a viral respiratory infection of the nose, throat, and lungs, and is different from the digestive illness commonly called the stomach flu. The influenza virus is highly contagious, and is spread when an infected person touches or shakes hands with someone, sneezes or coughs without covering their mouth, or touches objects that other people also handle. Influenza symptoms include: Fever, often degrees Fahrenheit, that may last up to seven days Headache and body aches Noticeable fatigue lasting from two to three weeks Coughing, stuffy nose, and sore throat Flu symptoms are similar to cold symptoms, but tend to last longer and be more severe. Though the flu is usually not life threatening, it can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and bronchitis. People over 65, young children, and those with chronic illness are more susceptible to flu complications. Because influenza is a viral infection, it cannot be treated with antibiotics. However, prescription antiviral medications may reduce the severity and shorten the length of the flu if they are taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. The best way to avoid the flu is to get a flu vaccination (or flu shot ), which usually becomes available in September or October of each year. A person needs a new flu shot every year. Other steps you can take to prevent the flu include: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least seconds. This is especially important after you have handled doorknobs, gas pumps, money, telephones, toys, or other items that multiple people may touch.

3 Keep your hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth, especially when you are out in public. If flu germs get on your hands, you can infect yourself by rubbing your eyes or touching your nose or mouth. Avoid touching or leaning against counters when you are at a store, bank, or restaurant. If the business provides hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes, use them. Keep your distance from people who are coughing and sneezing or who say they have the flu. If you have symptoms, stay home to avoid spreading the virus. Don't share eating or grooming items with others. Towels, washcloths, silverware, glasses, and toothbrushes are prime candidates for spreading the virus. Maintain your resistance to infection with a good diet (including lots of fluids), plenty of rest, and regular exercise. If you are caring for someone with the flu, wash your hands frequently and try to get lots of rest. Be aware that your odds of getting the flu increase when you are caring for someone who has it. For more information about how to avoid the flu or to learn more about the flu shot, contact your physician. The above information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Source: Well Advised Library Health Ink and Vitality Communications Save Up and Fly Right Though airline travel can be very expensive, there are many ways to save. Here are some ideas on how to fly the friendly skies without taking too big a bite out of your travel budget: Be flexible about your dates when possible. Check out flight costs before you ask for time off or lock in your hotel reservations. Adjusting your dates may save you a bundle. Fly in the middle of the week. Weekends tend to be the busiest travel days of the week, so tickets for these days are often more costly. Demand is generally lower in the middle of the week, so flying on Tuesdays-Thursdays may be your best bet for getting a cheaper ticket. Explore alternate airports. If you live in an area with multiple airports, check prices at each location before you book. If you find a lower-priced ticket at a different

4 airport than you normally use, factor in time and transportation costs to determine if you would be better off flying from this location. Keep your airline options open. Avoid getting too focused on flying one particular airline because of miles or other rewards. Choosing the lowest priced ticket will almost always be a better deal than any rewards program benefits. In addition, keep in mind that you may be better off flying different carriers to and from your destination. Be smart about when you buy. Unless you get a great price right out of the gate, it s better to wait and monitor flight costs over the course of a week or two before purchasing. Flight prices tend to vary throughout the week, with midweek often being the best time to buy. Buying a ticket between two months and six weeks before your trip will often get you the best price with minimal risk that your flight times will get changed by the airline. Bring your own snacks. Airport and plane food usually has a high markup. Consider buying snacks ahead of time at your local grocery store rather than purchasing them at the airport. For beverages, bring an empty water bottle and fill it at the terminal s water fountain after you have gone through security. Try to arrange your meal schedule so you don t have to eat at the airport unless absolutely necessary. Research airport transportation. In some instances, taking a cab from the airport is your best option. However, it is worthwhile to check out other transportation options, such as trains, buses, or shuttles. If you leave your car at your departing airport, look into ways to save on parking, such as using the economy lot or pre-booking your spot. Being a savvy flyer will not only save you money, but time as well, making it easier for you to focus on your vacation goals. Ways to Minimize Luggage Fees 1. Research your carrier s luggage policy before you book your flight. Keep in mind that some carriers charge different rates for baggage if you check your bags online ahead of time instead of checking them at the airport. 2. Factor the cost of a carrier s luggage fees into your ticket. In some instances, you may be better off taking a higher priced ticket if there are no bag fees. 3. Allow plenty of time for packing. Not rushing will help you make more efficient choices. 4. Consider packing older pajamas or workout clothes that you are ready to throw away. Toss them at the end of the trip to create room for souvenirs or other items you acquire on your trip.

5 5. Weigh your bags before you fly to make sure they re not over the weight limit. If you can t keep yourself from over-packing, switch to a smaller or more lightweight suitcase. 6. Rent equipment you will need, such as golf clubs or skis, at your destination. 7. If you have frequent flier miles with an airline, check to see if they offer extra baggage allowances for your mileage level. 8. Find out what amenities your hotel will provide. There is no point in packing a travel iron or hair dryer if the hotel provides one. 9. If you think it unlikely that you will actually use an item, leave it at home. Recommended Reading 175 Ways to Travel Today By Rebekah Voss, THP Publishing, 2014 If travel is something you enjoy or want to indulge in more often, then this book is for you. Author Rebekah Voss explores how travel is about money choices and how to make it a priority regardless of where you are in your life. If you re the kind of person who puts off dreamed-about trips because of fear or uncertainty, this book is just the ticket for helping you get on the way to your destination. Whether it s saving for your trip or making the process simple while you re traveling, Voss lays out easy, straightforward tactics for eliminating any roadblocks. Pick up this book now and start on your path to an amazing travel adventure. To travel is to take a journey into yourself. ~ Danny Kaye LifeMatters by Empathia is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year to discuss a variety of concerns. Call or visit mylifematters.com. Language assistance services in your preferred spoken and written languages are available at no cost by calling Empathia, Inc Pacific