No Such Thing As ‘Ratting’
By Marilyn Murray

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Giving teens permission to tell is wonderful, and possibly one of the best things you can do for your child.  There really isn’t such a thing as a “rat” anymore.  Any child, regardless of age has the right to speak up when someone is hurting, threatening, bullying them, or when they’re feeling uncomfortable about something that is happening.  Reminding children that no one has the right to hurt them in any way doesn’t stop once they reach teen years.  We all know how cruel some children can be.  

Try to put yourself in your child’s position.  If you see someone carrying a gun or knife on the street, or if you’re walking down a street and someone starts pushing you around, you most certainly would call the police.  Why should a student being bullied at school be any different?  Laws don’t stop working just because you’re on school property.

The most important thing a student can do is, tell a teacher and parent.  If nothing is done, then go to the principle.  Don’t stop until something is done about the problem.  If someone is bullying them, the child should talk to their teacher and parent (s) about the problem.  I tend to get involved in the issue right from the start.  A child, regardless of age, needs to know that their decision to tell is supported by their parents.  It’s not “ratting” when someone is doing something wrong. 

Marilyn Murray has volunteered her time to Parenthub.com by contributing articles on parenting issues that affects all of us. 
Thank You, Marilyn!

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