Read our tips in response to relevant news pieces about the social/emotional issues that school-age children experience.

Peer Pressure
"Teenagers, Friends and Bad Decisions" (New York Times, 2/7/11)

• Talk to your child about his/her friends.  Ask, "What are your friends' positive qualities?"
• Talk to your child about how he/she resolves conflicts.
• Discuss different social situations that arise and how to can handle those situations

Childhood Stress
"Teacher, My Dad Lost His Job. Do We Have to Move?" (New York Times, 1/31/ 2011)

• Talk to your child honestly about what is happening with your family
• Assure your child that no matter what happens your family will always be together
• Recognize behavior that is a sign of anxiety such as sleeplessness and acting out
• Connect your child with an adult in school who he/she can trust
• Talk to the helping professionals in the school to see what resources are available
• Keep household routines like sharing dinner together each evening

Bullying Prevention
Read tips for our parent guide Taming the Bullying Monster (available for purchase, $9.95)

• See the signs - observe if your child has unexplained injuries, seems scared or upset, or starts spending a lot of time alone
• Strengthen communications - encourage your child to communicate about bullying incidents by listening, reassuring him/her of your love and validating your child's feelings
• Be your child's best advocate - get all the fact's about your child's bullying incident, create an action plan, and seek out school administrators to address the issue
• Take action - build your child's self-confidence by sharing in fun activities, teaching him/her strong social skills, and seeking help from a counselor or therapist

Recent News on Bullying
WABC (11/9/10) special feature Battling Bullies which includes footage of Partnership with Children's bullying prevention workshop.
New York Times (10/25/10) reports on the US Department of Education's letter to schools nationwide on their responsibilities to address bullying.
Washington Post (10/21/10) reports that 17% of students are bullied 2-3 times per month
Huffington Post (10/19/10) reports that bullying is top fear amongst parents in the US