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Health & Fitness

If You Could Survive Recess and the Bus Ride Home...

When I was a kid, if you could survive recess and the bus ride home, you were safe. I could hang out in my room and draw pictures and read books, and everything was fine. But today kids are being bullied even at home— on Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram.

Parents can help restore their child’s sense of safety by limiting access to the Internet and providing an example of zero tolerance for bullying and abuse being presented on television and in movies.

Make your home a safe zone by screening out negative input from all media.  Build your child’s self-esteem by practicing love and compassion in your speech and in what you allow into your space.

Like the song says, “let there be peace on on earth, and let it begin with me.” When it’s time to confront the bully, you can do so from a place of courage, serenity and peace.  The prayerful intention of David will always overcome the ferocity of Goliath.

Susan Dingle LCSW CASAC is a therapist on the North Fork providing counseling for tweens, adolescents and adults. She is currently accepting new clients, and can be reached at 631/734-8658.

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