What should you do if you’re bullied?

There are some good tips in a book called “Nobody Knew What to Do  A Story About Bullying,” by Becky Ray McCain.

One important idea is that it’s OK to walk away from a fight and find an adult to help. You can still feel proud of yourself.

If you’re being bullied, try to take a few seconds to think before you respond. Take a breath, rather than speaking back in anger. This is a good choice, not a weak one.

While “tattling” just spreads stories that don’t help, talking with adults about a bullying situation lets them know what happened and helps them to deal with the problem.

Remember: It is always OK to talk with parents, teachers and other familiar grown-ups.

“It’s important that we keep reminding children that disrespectful behavior  which is what bullying is  is a choice,” said Sarah Jane Russell of Douglas County Rape Victim-Survivor Service. “If you can make a choice to engage in disrespectful behavior, you can also make a choice not to.”