All posts by Sumana Rao

Don't worry about the people in your past; There's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Choose baby sitter wisely

Tips To Choose A Baby Sitter Wisely

Working parents with infants and young children often need baby sitters at home. If the parents wants to spend a night outside home or during work hours where they cannot take children along with them hire baby sitters to be at home with their child/children. We often here stories and see videos how we cannot trust a stranger to be with our children. Even though the baby sitters claim to have qualification there are certain qualities a sitter should have. Attitude, patience, dealing with children in a pleasant manner and more importantly trust is important. If you are planning to hire a baby sitter then understand what you should know about a baby sitter and what qualities a baby sitter should have. It is also important to understand what are parents role and how equally they should be prepared and ready to leave child with a  baby sitter.

What a qualification a Babysitter must have?

  1. Have legal eligibility for employment
  2. Have babysitting or child care experience
  3. Have a valid Driver’s License/ID and dependable transportation
  4. Have excellent communication skills
  5. Be 18 years of age or older
  6. Authorize a criminal background check
  7. Provide three references
  8. Be fun, energetic, creative, and patient

What you need to note?

  1.  Check references
  2. Review the interview notes
  3. See how your kids react and communicate to new sitter
  4. Trial test how she was with your kids
  5. Get feedback from kids
  6. Write down negative and positive aspects of the person
  7. See your pets reactions!

 If you are going out what you notes you need to leave for sitter?

Prepare a sheet of vital information for your sitter, and leave it in a convenient place such as directly over the telephone. The list should include:

  • Your name, home address, and phone number. This may seem unnecessary but, in an emergency, sitters have been known to “blank out” while trying to give this critical information over the phone.
  • The phone numbers of your doctor, the police department, and the fire department.
  • The name, address, and phone number where you can be reached.
  • The name and phone number of nearby neighbors to be contacted in an emergency. Take prior permission from your neighbor.
  • As a back-up, the phone number and name of a relative or close friend.
  • The time you expect to return. If there is any change in plans, and you find you are going to be late, be sure to let the sitter know. There may be people she will need to notify so they won’t            worry about her.

Family policies:

Prepare a sheet of vital information for your sitter, and leave it in a convenient place such as directly over the telephone. The list should include:

  • Your name, home address, and phone number. This may seem unnecessary but, in an emergency, sitters have been known to “blank out” while trying to give this critical information over the phone.
  • The phone numbers of your doctor, the police department, and the fire department.
  • The name, address, and phone number where you can be reached.
  • The name and phone number of nearby neighbors to be contacted in an emergency. (This should be cleared with the neighbors in advance.) As a back-up, the phone number and name of a relative or close friend.
  • The time you expect to return. If there is any change in plans, and you find you are going to be late, be sure to let the sitter know. There may be people she will need to notify so they will not worry about her.
  • If the baby sitter is going to feed your children – get ready with food and sancks. If children are allergic to certain food make a note of them and inform the sitter what symptom he/she should look for.
  • Enter baby sitter phone number in your favorite and make a note of it in your wallet.
  • If needed put couple of cameras in your home where the child sleeps and plays.

Other points to remember:

  • No visitors for baby sitters in your absence
  • Do not post on social media or selfies with children
  • Gentle playing
  • No physical discipline for kids
  • Watching only appropriate TV shows
  • Reading or narrative children stories
  • Keeping cell phone use very minimal
  • Appropriate dressing sense

Communicate to your baby sitter often and get feedback about their day with child. Giving the responsibility of your child to a third person needs extra care and caution. Following and remembering these above mentioned points would be helpful in hiring a good baby sitter/nanny.

 

Image credit: Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 27, 2016
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Free Cancer Treating Vaidya

Free Cancer Treating Vaidya (Doctor)

Naryanamurthy, a 60 year old simple living farmer from Narasipura village, Shimoga District, Karnataka a herbalist also popularly known as Vaidya (Sanskrit =Doctor) Narayanamurthy (Narasipura Subbaiah Narayanamurthy). He is popular because he is helping people suffering from various conditions including heart, cancer and kidney diseases.  People who had tried allopathic medicines and has not got positive results has been approaching Murthy. Murthy is practicing Ayurveda medicne to help people from 25 years.

Narayanamurthy follows Ayurveda and herbal medicine to cure various conditions. About 15 NGOS are supporting his efforts and everyday his family also joins him in treating various patients who come to see him from all over India and world. Early in the morning a long line of people will form in front of his farm house to get treated. About 600-700 people visit him everyday for the medicines.

Murthy’s day starts listening to people who come to see him. He will give medicines for 15 to 30 days depending on the prevailing condition a person is going through. His medince prescriptions is free of charge. Sometimes he will asks patients for the lab report.  The source of medicines that Murthy gives is collected from surrounding tropical forest. The source of his medicines is from different kinds of plants and herbs which he personally collects from forest during particulars days of the week , He needs approximately 50-60 kg of roots, stems and barks for the medicine he gives to the patients per day, The patient needs to take these medicines with specific dietary instructions, it may take typically 90 days to 180 days to cure. unlike Chemotheraphy and laser treatment which are not a permanent solution or happy ending always his natural medicines relieve the patients successfully. Terminally ill patients also approach Murthy for the medicines. There are cases where terminally ill patients recovered from the illness. Murthy has given hopes for people with his expertise in cancer, respiratory, heart and kidney stones. Cancer patients has to to take 6-8 months of cancer medicines  and it has shown positive results on  cancer patients.

It is easy to approach Vaidya Murthy as the appointment is not required to visit him. On first come first service basis people can see Murthy to get cured by the natural medicines that he prescribes. No appointment is required to see Murthy. Service is provided on a first-come-first-served basis, starting at 7 AM every Sunday and Thursday.

Vaidya Murthy can be contacted at: 08183-250833

Watch this video to see Vaidya Murthy’s selfless service to all.

How to reach Shimoga?

You can take a train from Bangalore there are 2 express trains and 2 passenger trains

Bangalore-Shimoga Express  (Train no 16227) & SBEC SMET Express (Train no 16201)

Sources:

  • http://hubpages.com/health/CANCER-TREATMENT-FOR-FREE
  • https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rcthanehills/rglPUING3Bk
  • https://www.youtube.com
  • http://www.readitt.in/2011/12/cancer-treatment-for-free-india.html
Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 24, 2016
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Constipation Problem

Constipation Problem? Try These Natural Tips

There is nothing to get embarrassed if one has constipation problem. To keep up good health one need to have proper food that supports system to take out toxic substances from the body.   If the problem persists, it can cause headache, no hunger, insomnia, bloating etc. Instead of relying on suppository, it is better to take care of our food and other habits that are causing constipation. If you know what type of food your body needs then the constipation problem can be easily solved.

Reasons for constipation:

  • Reduced sleep and rest
  • Consumption of highly processed foods and fast foods
  • Consumption of laxatives for no reasons
  • Daily medications
  • Influence of seasons
  • Not drinking enough water or no liquid food diet
  • Too much of sitting work
  • No regularity in food intake – time and quality of food
  • Improper diet – not understanding what your body needs
  • Emotional stress

What habits and foods are essential to get relief from constipation?

1) Drink plenty of water and consuming liquid food.

2) If you consume liquid food – don’t forget to take nutrient rich liquid food like carrot juice, buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice, spinach soup  types of food.

3) Increase quantity of fiber in your food. – Consume fruits and vegetables. Oranges, apple, banana are best fruits. Radish, carrot, cucumber, fenugreek leaves, spinach, palak, cilantro – all these vegetables are rich in fiber and light on the system.

4) Instead of consuming bottled and preserved juice,eat fresh fruits.  Apple, oranges and papaya increases the bowl movement. Try green apple to reduce daily constipation.

5) Other sources for fiber include:  Bran and other whole grains found in cereals, breads, and brown rice, Vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, and asparagus,  fresh fruits, or dried fruits such as raisins, apricots, and prunes and beans. Drumsticks, egg plant, cabbage, okra curries helps too !!

6) Including clarified butter, oil and butter – about 20 grams helps in providing fats that are needed for easy bowl movement.

7) Avoid or stop bakery items – puffs, samosa, cakes etc. Avoid all purpose flour as much as possible. It does not supply any fiber to the body and increases constipation.

8) Eat whole grain breads, crackers – add sliced vegetables and prepare veg sandwiches whenever you consume bread or crackers.

9) Include – jowar, millet, quinoa, maize in your daily food in different forms. Flax seeds are best source of fiber and known to reduce constipation. One can prepare chutney powder and add this to bread, rotis, idli and other breakfast items. Add roasted flax seeds to salad. Seeds and nuts such as pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, or flax seeds, as well as almonds, walnuts and pecans – all are good!.

10) Include molasses in your food – jaggery helps in easy digestion!

11) Drink green tea, herbal tea in your diet. Reduce carbonated and caffeinated drinks.

  • Exercise and establish a routine: Exercise regularly. Bending and doing house hold works helps. Try yoga asanas – malasana, squatting, child pose, twisting poses to increase bowl movement.  Daily walk for half an hour helps stomach to be active and healthy.
  • Establish a routine or try potty training yourself – stick to you a time, practice it. If you drink warm water in empty stomach first thing in the morning your chances of going to toilet in the morning is more.

When to see a doctor? If the constipation problem continues for more than 2 weeks consult your doctor.

Image credit: Image by Alexas_Fotos from Pixabay

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 5, 2016
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Older Driver Safety

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

Have you worried about your aged parents driving ability and staying safe on busy roads? Yes, it can be scary. What used to be upper limit for driving speed is now minimum driving speed in most highways. With age elderly people find it hard to drive around. If we do not have time to spare, then we need to make sure they drive safe and they should be safe on the road. If they want to be active and wish to be independent, and would like to go for shopping, dining and visiting friends we cannot stop them. With increasing age come changes in physical, mental and sensory abilities that can challenge a person’s continued ability to drive safely. But there are a variety of safe travel options for people of all ages. The real need is a broader awareness of the solutions, rather than a narrow focus on the problem.

If you see elderly person driving a vehicle at any time have patience – do not tailgate and scare them. Be respectful and allow them to drive comfortably.

Between December 5–9, 2016, The American Occupational Therapy Association aims to promote understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation to ensuring older adults remain active in the community—shopping, working or volunteering—with the confidence that transportation will not be the barrier to strand them at home.

We should get ready for change in age: Older Driver Safety Awareness Week seeks to raise awareness and increase education about the aging driver’s options. Each day of the week, AOTA spotlights a different aspect of older driver safety.  This Older Driver Safety Awareness Week highlights five topics that impact mature drivers, kicking off with anticipating the physical and mental changes that can affect driving. As people age they experience physical, sensory and cognitive changes.

According to AARP, these are some of the changes older drivers might experience:

*Changes in vision including reduced field of vision, diminished night vision and sensitivity to glare, and common conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts

  • Hearing loss
  • Increasing fragility, diminished strength
  • Arthritis
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Medical conditions and medications
  • Changes in cognition

By anticipating those changes, older drivers can investigate solutions that may keep them on the road longer.  Occupational therapists, especially those who specialize in driver rehab, can help drivers find answers to challenges caused by medical or physical issues.

Monday: Anticipating Changes That Can Affect Driving

Whether we want to admit it or not, aging is inevitable. The ability to drive safely can be affected by changes in our physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Although changes are a part of normal aging, they occur individually and at different rates and times. Just as one plans for retirement, it’s important to plan for transportation needs. Proactive, early planning is paramount to continued independence and safety. Occupational therapy practitioners address driving as an essential activity of daily living, and they can help older adults maintain their driving safety and community mobility despite age-related changes.

Tuesday: Family Conversations

AOTA’s Older Driver Safety Awareness Week is intentionally held each year in December because this is the time of year when families often come together for the holidays. One of the first steps in addressing older driver safety is having a nonthreatening conversation with our loved ones. Family and friends play a major role in discussions about older driver safety, and it is better to start the conversation early, allowing time for planning and the exploration of options long before the crisis or accident.

Wednesday: Screening and Evaluations With an Occupational Therapist

An older driver may decide that it is time to get a check-up on his or her driving fitness. The services described as “Driving fitness evaluations” may seem confusing, as they range from self-assessments (useful education tools to help identify potential challenges) to a professional comprehensive driving evaluation from an occupational therapy driving rehabilitation specialist. It is important for older drivers and their family members to understand the driving service they are getting, so they can act on the results in a meaningful way.

Thursday: Interventions That Can Empower Drivers

Driving intervention is based on a plan that is drawn up between the client and therapist. The goal of intervention is to explore ways for individuals to drive safely for as long as possible. Occupational therapy practitioners trained in driving rehabilitation can suggest a broad range of solutions, tailored to the individual driver. These suggestions sometimes include adaptive equipment. Occupational therapy practitioners can work with older drivers in their vehicles to see which types of equipment, if any, are necessary to help them remain comfortable and safe on the road.

Friday: Staying Engaged in the Community

When an older driver discovers the need to make adjustments to drive safely or can no longer do so, families and friends can help him or her take these changes in stride. But to do so, the older driver and the family need to know about resources for independent community mobility before driving cessation occurs. Losing one’s ability to drive, limiting the amount of driving, or changing the way one drives does not have to mean losing independence, and older adults have options to continue to stay involved in their communities.

The week started in 2009 as an initiative of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Its goal, is to “raise awareness that there really are a lot of steps between realizing there’s a problem or a challenge that’s arisen with driving to giving up the keys.”

Source:

  • http://www.aota.org/
  • http://exchange.aaa.com/
  • https://www.cars.com

Image credit: https://www.needpix.com/photo/249122/travel-bus-ride-bus-exit-road-the-front-cover-is-bus-driver-driver-man (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: December 3, 2016
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Office Hygiene & Your Health

Work Place Hygiene and Your Health

If we are working outside then we spend most time at work place and it is important to keep the work place clean and healthy.  Maintaining a clean working environment involves getting rid of the germs by preventing your work place from a host of illnesses. Many of us use public transport as a method of transportation between home and office and may carry several hundreds of germs in hands.  It is also possible and natural that colleagues who might be ill working with us. We use common toilets/restrooms in the office. It is important to wash hands before going back to work place, as there will be germs that can contaminate work areas. Keeping all these in mind, companies give certain guidelines as precautions to keep the employees healthy.

Good personal hygiene will ensure that employees are less likely to pass on harmful germs and bacteria to one another, which in turn means a healthier, happier and more productive office and workforce.

Guidelines for clean work place:

Clean your desk everyday: Before starting your work every morning make sure to clean your work area. Using mild sprays clean the desk surface and chair handles. Clean computer screens and keyboard using proper methods. Remove any coffee cups, teacups and wash them. Refill fresh water in your water bottles and make sure to cover with lid.

Make sure your office maintenance staff routinely cleans door handles, counter tops, keyboards and doorknobs with anti-bacterial solution to remove the germs.

Instead of using the office pantry carry your own coffee and tea mugs and wash them at least twice a day.

Did you know? Researchers at the University of Arizona found that an average desk at the office harbors about 100 times more bacteria than an average kitchen table [source: Weissman].

Do not eat at your desk: Take a break from your work and eat at designated area. Or have a dedicated area where you can go to get out of your own environment and have lunch, preferably with other people, so you can truly get that break during the day. This is good for you to refresh your mind and get to know your colleagues.  This keeps your desk clean and germ free.

Using restroom: If your company does not provide hand soap, carry your own soap and wash your hands thoroughly after using the common restroom. Use a paper towel to handle the doorknobs and if you notice unhygienic activities and if restrooms are not clean inform concerned person.  The germs which are present in these areas can cause diarrhea, vomiting and other serious illness.

Avoid touch as much as possible: While at work we touch the desktops, keyboards, telephones, doorknobs and workstation, we deposit a lot of dirt inside nails. With same dirty hands, we touch mouth, eyes and cheeks. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your handbag, keep a spare hand sanitizer at your desk, or use antibacterial wipes to clean your hands.

Dealing with sick colleague: Avoid contact with sick colleague. When one person in the office gets cold or a stomach bug it feels inevitable that anyone sitting within close proximity will also get ill. Politely tell them to not to touch the areas where you feel that germs can release.  According to Infection Control Today about 44 percent might go to work despite having a fever, and watch out for the 32 percent who plan on going to work no matter how sick they may be!

Practice good respiratory hygiene making sure hankies or tissues are around for anyone else to pick up and then immediately wash your hands.

Clean air:  Clean and fresh air is important for healthy breathing. Ensure that your office has a proper exhaust system in place as it helps in fighting the infectious airborne viruses, making sure that you are breathing clean and germ-free air.

Keep your body odor minimum: Personal hygiene is also important at work. Everyday wear proper and clean clothes. Daily showers and freshly laundered clothing will help keep body odor to a minimum. Daily wear fresh clothes, socks and don’t forget to wash sneakers (if you are wearing them to office).

Maintenance of hygiene at work place is critical. You cannot rely on other people in the office to practice good hygiene. For the most part, practicing good, sensible personal hygiene at work should prevent you from getting sick – and others as a result. As an individual, you can stop germs spreading by being hygienic in the times and places that matter. Practice good toilet hygiene and wash hands thoroughly. Follow proper guidelines and take proper precautions not only to keep you healthy but others too!

Ref: www.werindia.com

Image credit: Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 27, 2016
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Home Remedies For Pneumonia

Simple Home Remedies For Pneumonia

Pneumonia season is going on due to cold and changing weather. If you are suffering from mild pneumonia with cough, often accompanied by phlegm then, try some of these home remedies.

Garlic:

1. Garlic has numerous health benefits. When you are suffering from pneumonia crush a garlic clove, add a teaspoon of lemon juice and honey. Take this and get relief from sinus and throat congestion.

2. Mince 5 garlic cloves and ½ onions and consume this 2 times a day.

Garlic and onion:

In a bowl, mix one clove of garlic and one teaspoon of cut onion with 2 teaspoons of honey and add 1 cup water. Mix well and have before breakfast or lunch.

Drinking fluids:

1. Drinking hot/warm water helps to relieve any congestion related to pneumonia. Drink a cup of hot water every 2 hours when you have pneumonia.

2. Drink freshly prepared soups -tomato soup that contains vitamin C is good. Other soups are spinach, pumpkin, cilantro-lemon soup – all are good.

Cayenne pepper:

Cayenne pepper gives a great relief for cold. Take  a pinch of cayenne pepper mix with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and into a glass of water. Drink 3 times slowly in a day to cure pneumonia.

Pepper and honey:

Mix a tsp of crushed pepper with 2 tsp of honey. Mix well and eat 2 or 3 times a day to get relief from the congestion.

Tulsi leaves and honey:

1. Take few leaves of tulsi and cut into small pieces. Add two tsp of honey and mix well. Have this 3 times a day.

2. Chew tulsi leaves few times a day.

Ginger and honey:

1. Mix freshly grated 1 tsp of ginger with 2 tsp of honey and consume

2. Take 2 tsp of ginger powder and mix with 2 tsp of honey and consume.

3. Mix 1 tsp of grated ginger with 2 tsp of honey and 1/4 tsp of crushed black pepper and have 2 times a day.

 Black tea and fenugreek:

To  1 cup of black tea add 3 tsp of fenugreek powder. Mix well and drink once a day.

Rock sugar:

1. Take a Tbs of rock sugar and add 1/2 crushed pepper. Eat this twice a day to get rid of cough.

2. Consume just rock sugar 3 times a day to get relief from sore throat that often happens with pneumonia related cough.

3. Mix rock sugar with few tulsi leaves and eat twice a day.

Salt:

1. Apply little salt using a cotton swab in your throat to get relief from sore throat.

2. Every morning gargle using hot salt water. This takes away any viruses that are hurting your system.

Turmeric:

1. Boil a cup of water, add one tsp of turmeric powder, add a tsp of sugar and drink.

2. Boil a cup of milk add one tsp of turmeric powder, continue boiling and reduce the content to half and drink with little sugar before going to bed.

Steam inhalation and heating pad:

1. To reduce lung secretion do steam inhalation. You can add Vapo rubs that relieves the congestion.

2. Use a heating pad on your chest for 10 minutes at a time, as needed; make sure it’s on a low setting

*If you are taking any allopathic medicines then, don’t take this with any other tablets or mix with other medications.

**If you are suffering from fever, ask your doctor and also take plenty of rest in bed until your fever disappears.

Image credit: Photo by James Gathany, Brian Judd, USCDCP on Pixnio (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 24, 2016
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Understanding pneumonia

Understanding pneumonia

November is pneumonia awareness month too. During cold season many people suffer from pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common lung infection caused by bacteria, a virus or fungi. Symptoms of pneumonia can vary from mild to severe. Many treatments for pneumonia are available. Treatment depends on the cause of your pneumonia, how severe your symptoms are, and your age and overall health.

What Are the common symptoms of Pneumonia?

Pneumonia symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of pneumonia you have, your age and health. Depending on type of microorganisms that can cause pneumonia there are two types of pneumonia.

In bacterial pneumonia, your temperature may rise as high as 105 degrees F. This pneumonia can cause profuse sweating, and rapidly increased breathing and pulse rate. Lips and nail beds may have a bluish color due to lack of oxygen in the blood. A patient’s mental state may be confused or delirious.

Initial symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as influenza symptoms: fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within 12 to 36 hours, there is increasing breathlessness; the cough becomes worse and produces a small amount of mucus. There may be a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips.

The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:

  • Cough (with some pneumonia you may cough up greenish or yellow mucus, or even bloody mucus)
  • Fever, which may be mild or high
  • Shaking chills
  • Shortness of breath, which may only occur when you climb stairs

Additional symptoms include:

  • Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
  • Headache
  • Excessive sweating and clammy skin
  • Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
  • Confusion, especially in older people

Causes of pneumonia: Many different germs can cause pneumonia. There are five main causes of pneumonia:

  • Bacteria
  • Viruses
  • Mycoplasmas
  • Other infectious agents, such as fungi
  • Various chemicals

What Are Risk Factors? Anyone can get pneumonia, but some people are at a higher risk than others.

1. Cigarette smoking

2. Recent viral respiratory infection—a cold, laryngitis, influenza, etc.

3. Difficulty swallowing (due to stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological conditions)

4. Chronic lung disease such as COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis

5. Cerebral palsy

6. Other serious illnesses, such as heart disease, liver cirrhosis, or diabetes

7. Living in a nursing facility

8. Impaired consciousness (loss of brain function due to dementia, stroke, or other neurologic conditions)

9. Recent surgery or trauma

10. Having a weakened immune system due to illness, certain medications, and autoimmune disorders.

 Preventing Pneumonia:

Some of the steps one can take to prevent pneumonia.

 Get Vaccinated :

  • Get a flu shot every year to prevent seasonal influenza. The flu is a common cause of pneumonia, so preventing the flu is a good way to prevent pneumonia.
  • Children younger than 5 and adults 65 and older should get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, a common form of bacterial pneumonia. The pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended for all children and adults who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease due to other health conditions.
  • There are several other vaccines that can prevent infections by bacteria and viruses that may lead to pneumonia, including pertussis, chicken pox and measles.

Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose, going to the bathroom, diapering, and before eating or preparing foods.

Don’t Smoke: Tobacco damages your lung’s ability to fight off infection, and smokers have been found to be at higher risk of getting pneumonia.

Be Aware of Your General Health : Since pneumonia often follows respiratory infections, be aware of any symptoms that linger more than a few days. Good health habits—a healthy diet, rest, regular exercise, etc.—help you from getting sick from viruses and respiratory illnesses.

For more information please visit: http://www.lung.org/

Image credit: Image by Виктория Бородинова from Pixabay

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 23, 2016
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Ways to bully-proof your child

Ways to bully – proof your child

Many times kids will not express themselves. Even if you probe them with hundreds of questions they hide their feelings and will not show that they are hurt. Please do not give up on kids! It is our duty as parents and teachers to understand what is happening in kid’s life – Why they are acting strangely? What is going on in their school and social life? Is something troubling the kid? The answer for these questions is ‘bullying’.

Bullying is one of the worst habit or practice many schools and colleges have. Kids who are seniors or who have better physique will take on juniors or poor physique kids. Picking on weak student is common. Similarly, bullying for the appearance, especially amongst girls is also common. A sibling or a friend at some point has teased most kids. Moreover, it is not usually harmful when done in a playful, friendly, and mutual way, and both kids find it funny. However, when teasing becomes hurtful, unkind, and constant, it crosses the line into bullying and needs to stop.

Bullying is being mean to another kid repeatedly. Bullying often includes:

  • Teasing
  • Talking about hurting someone
  • Spreading rumors
  • Leaving kids out on purpose
  • Attacking someone by hitting them or yelling at them

Identifying the effects of bullying: As a parent, you may suspect your child is being bullied. If you are not quite sure, review these common signs to help you recognize if bullying is occurring. Your child may:

  • come home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings
  • have unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches from fighting
  • have few, if any, friends with whom he or she spends time
  • seem afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized activities with
  • peers (such as clubs or sports)
  • take a long, “illogical” route when walking to or from school
  • lose interest in school work or suddenly begin to do poorly in school
  • appear sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she comes home
  • complain frequently of headaches, stomach aches, or other physical problems
  • have trouble sleeping or frequent bad dreams
  • experience a loss of appetite
  • appear anxious and suffer from low self-esteem

Recognize the warning signs that your child is involved in bullying. They could be being bullied, bullying others, or witnessing bullying.  Although these signs could signal other issues, you should talk to your child if they display any sort of behavioral or emotional changes.  Many times kids won’t ask for help, so it is important to know what to look for. If your child is at immediate risk of harming himself or others, get help right away.

Learn what bullying is and what it is not. Understanding what bullying is is the first step in forming a plan to prevent or respond to bullying with your child. Many behaviors that look like bullying may be just as serious, but may require different response strategies.  You can also learn about:

  • The frequency of bullying;
  • Who is at risk for being bullied and bullying others; and
  • The effects of bullying

Cyber bullying often requires different strategies than in-person bullying.  Learn how to work with your kids to prevent cyber bullying and how to respond when it occurs.

Utilize tips and tools to talk to your child about bullying. Opening lines of communication before your child is involved in bullying makes it easier for them to tell you when something happen. It is also important to work with a school to help prevent bullying before it starts.

  • If you know or suspect bullying has occurred, learn how to find out what has happened with your child. Understanding what has happened can also help in communicating with school or community officials about the situation.
  • If you have determined bullying has occurred, learn how you and school or community officials can work together to support your child, whether they were bullied, bullied others, or witnessed bullying. Learn also about considerations for specific groups.
  • If bullying is occurring at school, learn about what your state requires schools to do in your state’s anti-bullying law. Learn also about federal laws that require schools to address harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, and disabilities and ways to report situations that have not been adequately addressed to the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice.
  • If you have worked with your child and your school and need additional assistance, find resources to help address the situation.

The steps parents should take are:

Talk about it: Don’t give up on your kids. Talk to them about  bullying with your kids and share your experiences. If kids opens up encourage them and offer unconditional support to stop bullying.  Consult with the school to learn its policies and find out how staff and teachers can address the situation.

Remove the bait: Many times bullying involves lunch money and stuffs like gadgets – video games, watches, smart phones etc. If this is the problem then pack lunch for kids and tell them not to carry gadgets . Give them a simple phone.

Friends for safety: Encourage your kids to be have friends. If kid is with group of friends then it is more likely to be picked up by a bully. Tell your children to go with friends to lunch room, bathroom, school bus, fields etc. These are the places where bullies may lurk your kid.

Teach kid to be calm:  The best defense more is probably ignorance and staying calm. Tell your kids to remain calm and ignore all remarks from a bully. Bullies enjoy hurting others. A child who is not easily ruffled has a better chance of staying off a bully’s radar.

Talk to bully’s parents if needed: Don’t face the battle alone. Take other parents and talk to bully’s parents in a constructive manner. Best is to inform school officials and see what actions they can take to solve the issue.

Bullying is a serious wide-spread problem throughout the world. Do not down play or underestimate the amount and seriousness of bullying that occurs in our children’s schools. Talk to your child about bullying and its adverse effect. Help your kid before it becomes too late. Teach them how to handle bullying and support anti-bullying.

References:

  • http://kidshealth.org/
  • http://www.stopbullying.gov/
  • http://www.violencepreventionworks.org/

Image credit: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)

Author: Sumana Rao | Posted on: November 15, 2016
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