Youths target parenting to prevent bullying

A group of teens who Get It!

Oshkosh Teens Speaking Out is a group of local young people from various religious denominations taking a stand against bullying in light of school violence throughout Wisconsin by asking parents to pay more attention to their kids.

The group, which started meeting around the end of October, is finalizing a letter to local parents with instructions on how to be better parents and how to deter their kids from becoming future bullies and perpetuators of school violence.

A sampling of tips for parents from Oshkosh Teens Speaking Out:

Understand that I am not perfect – be patient
Teach me to how to say “NO” – by saying “NO” to me.
Get to my friends and their parents too
Let my dreams be different from yours
Spend time with me and show me you care – listen more than you talk
Family time is worth more to me than a big house, vacations and other stuff
Tell me that you love me

I think these teens are truly onto something.  Having been the victim of bully’s throughout my own high school career, I see the overwhelming need for parents to become more active in their kids lives – and to stop trying to blame everyone else for the ill actions of their kids.

I’d love to hear some of your bully stories and how you’ve learned to combat them on your own.  Whether you’re a kid or a parent, I think it’s important that people learn to stick together and come up with new and inovative ways of tearing down these intimidating walls.