Do you live in fear every day? Did you stop going certain places for fear you'd be bullied? Have you become a prisoner in your own home?
An estimated 160,000 children stay home from school every day for fear of being bullied. 30 % of all parents fear that their child will be hurt at school. And four out of ten kids are bullied or know someone who is.
My son, Jeremiah, was one of those kids. He was bullied in the 5th grade all the way until his junior year. His self-esteem dropped to an all time low. He feared going to school. He feared being around other kids. And he feared leaving the house.
Jeremiah would always make excuses for not wanting to go places. I thought he was just getting older and didn't want to hang out with us. But he had developed a severe panic disorder from the bullying he suffered. For a time he totally isolated himself for fear no one would accept him.
Thankfully we got him help and he now helps in our program "Take A Bite Out Of Abuse" by sharing his story and songs that he wrote to help others.
Signs Your Child Is Living In Fear Of Being Bullied:
-Say their sick and can't go to school
-Say they don't want to go places they used to enjoy going
-Say they don't want to join groups (basketball, karate, etc)
-Stay home all the time and don't want to go anywhere
-Stop hanging out with friends or make excuses not to
Some Ways You Can Help Them Conquer Their Fears
-Talk with them about the situation
-Get them into a counselor/therapist
-See your regular doctor in case they might need some medication
-Don't allow them to isolate themselves
-Require them to come along to all events and family outings, letting them know that if they feel panic coming on, you'll be there for them, and if they need to get some air, that's okay
-Require them to join a group of their choosing, but be ready to talk, listen, and intervene if bullying should start there too
*For more information or to see what we are doing to fight back, log onto our website @ http://www.abusebites.com
"All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be nothing at all. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid." Isaiah 41:11-14a
2 comments:
Lisa,
It is so good to hear that people are starting to speak out about abuse. I was a victim of abuse as well when I was a teenager. It was date violence. I was young and afraid and didn't know who to talk to about what was going on until one day when I tried to leave him, he tried to kill me. I have also written a book to help teenagers as well as parents know the signs that they teen could be in danger. It also speaks out to teens how to avoid this type of abuse or get out.
Thanks for website and exposing what is happening with our teens.
Author "Shattered but Not Destroyed"
Lady Tina Moore
shatteredbutnotdestroyed.webs.com
Thanks for stopping by and taking time to write Tina. Sounds like we've had similar lives and books.It seemed I was always looking for love and finding abuse. That's what my book "Run For Your Life" is about, how I ran to all the wrong things and choices in life. It is geared to help teens run in the right direction, and give parents the insight into a teens mind so they can help them. I'm currently working on book proposals that Zondervan has shown an interest. God's will be done for both of us! My biggest passion now though is speaking out and holding workshops to help others.
http://www.runtolife.org
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