If you have a tween or teen in your house, chances are they’re on TikTok. The popular video sharing platform had about 100 million active users as of last August, posting dance challenges, animal antics and more. Unfortunately it’s also a popular target for cyberbullying, but the company has recently announced new features to combat unkind interactions.

This past week, TikTok announced the ability to delete multiple comments at once, as well as block multiple accounts in bulk. Keep reading to see how the new features will work.

To delete several comments or block multiple accounts at once, go to the video you’ve created and long press on a comment or tap the pencil icon in the upper left corner to select a menu of options. The feature is rolling out gradually over the next few months to all content creators. The company also recently announced the option to filter all comments, so only approved comments will display with the video.

Beyond these features, TikTok recently partnered with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create a guide on bullying prevention. It lists how to identify bullying behavior, how teens can control their account to safeguard against unkindness and resources for standing up to bullying safely.

The platform continues to work to help users feel empowered with their experience on TikTok and make it a fun and welcoming experience for all. So the next time your teen pulls out their phone to post a video, make sure they’re aware of these new features. Safety first, trends second!

—Sarah Shebek

Image courtesy of TikTok

 

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Children are naturally empathetic and show amazing capacity for wanting to change the world. They also are kids, and sometimes forget that their actions can have consequences. The following books are excellent ways to show kids how they can make a difference, whether that’s kindness on the playground, showing compassion toward those who need our help or passing on a smile. Click through the gallery to get inspired to change the world, one story at a time!

This post is sponsored by HarperCollins and the book Mel Fell, which follows the ups and downs of a bird taking a leap of faith.

Thank You, Bees

Penguin Random House 

Helping our pollinator friends is a hot topic lately, and this just-released book by author and illustrator Toni Yuly offers a gentle reminder of gratitude for the preschool crowd: wool comes from sheep, honey comes from bees, clouds bring rain. With sparing text and paper-collage art, this is a perfect little book about appreciating life’s simple gifts.

Ages: 2-5
Cost: $15.99.
Buy your copy here.

 

Partner

Mel Fell

HarperCollins

If your little one is going to change the world, they'll need to be ready for some bumps along the way! Teach your kiddo perseverance and resilience with the help of Mel Fell, a book from HarperCollins that follows a bird Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight. While your young reader turns the book in every direction to follow Mel's journey, they'll learn about self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.

Ages: 4-8

Cost: $17.99.

Buy your copy here.

The Hand Me Down Toy Shop

Susan Murray

Warning: you may find yourself crying a little while reading Susan Murray’s new book, but don’t let that stop you from buying a copy right now. This incredibly moving book about a little seven-year-old living in poverty and her relationship with the village schoolteacher is really the story of a small town struggling with poverty and wealth. It’s a story of generosity and it is sure to teach your children the beauty of empathy, giving and kindness. Based in the 1950s, just after World War II, this U.K. author’s book is now widely available in the U.S.

Ages: 4 and up
Cost: $11.96.
Get your copy here.

 

Children in Our World: Refugees and Migrants

Barrons

What does it mean to be a refugee or a migrant? These words are in the news a lot but kids have lots of questions about what it means. For starters, why would someone want to leave their home? Empower your kids (and yourself) with the knowledge and understanding of what it means to be a refugee or a migrant with this new release from Barron’s Children in Our World series. It answers big questions, offers reassurances and lets kids know what they can do to help. Written by Ceri Roberts and illustrated by Hunane Kai.

Ages: 6-10
Cost: $9.99
Get your copy here.

 

Children in Our World: Poverty and Hunger

Barrons

One of the two new releases in Barron’s Children in Our World Series—books for kids, aimed at tackling big, global and social issues—Poverty and Hunger helps answer the questions: What is poverty? What is hunger, and how does it affect people all around the world? Educate your kids without scaring them on the topic and give them the power to learn how to help. Written by Louise Spilsbury, illustrated by Hunane Kai.

Ages: 6-10
Cost: $9.99
Order it now.

photo courtesy Barrons

Malala's Magic Pencil

Hatchette Book Group

As if Malala Yousafzai isn’t accomplished enough, the 20-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner is about to release her first children’s picture book! This is the story of Malala’s Magic Pencil, based on Malala’s own childhood wish to have a magic pencil that would “make everyone happy,” and could “erase the smell of garbage from her city.” As she grew older she learned that she would need more than a magic pencil to initiate change, and this book explores every person's power to change the world through strength of character and determination. Illustrated by Kerascoët Kerascoët.

Ages: 5-8
Cost: $9.99
Order a copy.

 

World Pizza

Written by Cece Meng and illustrated by Ellen Shi, this picture book is full of laughs but packs a major message. Mama wishes on a shooting star for world peace, but she sneezes and instead ends up wishing for world pizza! And world pizza comes, to the valleys and the desserts, smallest towns and to the homeless, pizza rains from the sky. Pizza changes the heart of the bully, it is the great equalizer of cultures and palates, everyone agrees, pizza is the best! Does mom get her wish after all? A very relatable and unique way to get kids to think globally.

Ages: 3-8
Cost: $14.95.
Buy it here.

 

I Am Gandhi

Penguin Random House

The latest release in  Brad Meltzer's Ordinary People Who Change the World series, and  I Am Gandhi, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos, takes us back to when Gandhi was a child. "Today, people call me strong...I wasn't always that way." Shy, introverted, and not even a great student, his sense of justice was strong. Eventually, he learned to change the world, in spite of all the obstacles in his way. A beautiful story and a reminder of compassion in the season of giving.

Ages: 5-8
Cost:  $11.99
Order it here.

 

Come with Me

How do you talk to your kids about tragedy, especially one as big and scary as a terrorist attack? Inspired by her own experience after 9/11, New York-based author Holly McGhee felt the fear and confusion of the nation all around her. Her friend, illustrator Pascal Lemaitre, an artist living in Brussels, became her confidant. And then in 2016 Brussels, where Pascal lives, had a terrorist attack. Together, these two artists joined forces to help kids in the aftermath of a big tragedy. How? “Come with me,” says a papa to his little girl, and they explore the neighborhood and meet people from different walks of life. “Come with me,” says a mama to her daughter as they head to the grocery store where they meet people of different cultures. “Come with me,” says a little girl to the boy across the hall, as they head out to walk the dog together. A story of bravery, kindness, and compassion—the true answer to terrorism.

Ages: 5-8
Cost: $11.57

Get yours here.

Pass It On

Penguin Random House 

"When you see something terrific...smile a smile and pass it on." This precious picture book by Sophy Henn has a clear message: happiness is contagious. From giggles to hugs to an awesome new discovery, the illustrations are as cheerful as the words. A perfect read and reminder that a kid can change the world with one little smile.

Ages: 3-7
Cost: $16.99
Learn more.

 

This post is sponsored by HarperCollins and the book Mel Fell, which follows the ups and downs of a bird taking a leap of faith.

You will also love: 

10 Books on Bullying (& Bullying Prevention) Every Family Should Own

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10 Books That Celebrate Native American Culture 

 

Will you read any of these books to your kiddos? What inspires you?

—Amber Guetebier

 

Mel Fell

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Photo: © Ariel Skelley—DigitalVision/Getty Images

Sylvia Moore’s seven-year-old son, Ryan, is attending a local public school that is operating a hybrid model due to the pandemic.

At the moment, Sylvia’s biggest fear isn’t about the pace of Ryan’s academic growth or his access to physical activity—she lies awake at night worrying about how Ryan is doing socially. A shy, small boy, he relied heavily last year on the constant companionship of one good friend, Victor. This year, Victor is attending a different school.

“Without Victor at his side, I’m afraid that Ryan will become a target of bullying,” Sylvia told me.

She is not alone. Parents worry about bullying—regardless of the age of the child—as one of their top health concerns. With approximately one out of every five children being bullied, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, it is an understandable anxiety.

For parents who struggle with social anxiety—or were targets of bullying themselves—it can be even harder to accurately assess painful social situations involving their children. “I was bullied when I was younger,” Sylvia said. “I am easily triggered in this area.”

What Is Bullying?

Social pain is very subjective—one child may easily move past the taunting of peers, while another child might feel devastated by the same behaviors. This is why researchers have developed a common language for defining bullying.

True bullying has three conditions, and all three must exist simultaneously for a situation to be defined as bullying:

  • Repetitive: Another child repeatedly threatens, intimidates, taunts or harms your child. It’s not just one bad day at lunch or recess; it’s a pattern.
  • Unwanted Aggression: Another child targets your child, and your child does not want this interaction. The most common defense that kids (and their parents) use when called out for their unwanted behavior is: “I was just kidding.” Teach your child to respond by saying, “Kidding means both people are having fun. Now that you know I’m not having fun, please don’t do that again.” If your child is unable to say this, you (or another ally) can help by saying it on their behalf.
  • Power Imbalance: Bullying always occurs in the context of a power imbalance: older kid against younger, multiple kids against single, more popular kid against less popular, more privileged kid against less privileged.

When all the conditions of bullying have been met (repetitive, unwanted, power imbalance), the targeted child develops a fear of the place where the bullying occurs and will often express avoidance: I don’t want to go to school. I don’t want to go to dance class. I don’t want to go to practice.

Is Some Conflict Normal?

Normal social conflict might look like two kids who want to spend time together and ask for playdates every day, but those playdates often end in fights. Sometimes Child A is the instigator; sometimes Child B is the instigator.

While often very painful, normal social conflict is an expected part of learning to navigate healthy relationships. You can collaborate with your child on ideas for how they can resolve the conflict with a peer, but ultimately, try to refrain from sweeping in to “fix” the problem. Doing so will prevent them from developing critical conflict-resolution skills.

Normal Conflict Can Escalate into Bullying

Children who haven’t learned to talk through the uncomfortable emotions of lower-level drama are more likely to escalate straight to bullying behaviors when they feel angry. (For example, Sam and Alex were best friends until they developed a crush on the same person. Instead of talking about or managing their feelings of jealousy and competitiveness, they started unkind rumors about each other on social media). Many bullying behaviors can be avoided by teaching kids to identify and process their emotions in healthier ways. 

Bullying is bad for mental health, both for the bully and for the target. Studies have shown that approximately 20 percent of childhood bullies and 23 percent of children that were victims of bullying subsequently sought treatment for psychiatric and mental health problems in their teen and young adult years. Prevention is the best defense.

How Do We Prevent Bullying?

Fostering empathy is the strongest way to prevent a child from becoming a bully. A lack of empathy allows children to disconnect from their conscience, which makes it easier for them to be cruel without feeling guilty because they see the targets as less than human.

How to Teach Empathy to Kids

  • Read books or watch shows that feature characters who are different from the mainstream and represent diverse races, genders, abilities, family structures, sexual orientations, and ethnicities. Common Sense Media offers excellent recommendations of books that can promote empathy.
  • Ask kids, “How would you feel if you were the one in this situation? Use your imagination to play the part of the person who is different.”
  • Be an empathetic listener: Teach kids to make eye contact when able, to not interrupt the speaker, and to listen with their full attention instead of simply waiting for their chance to speak.
  • Help children practice being nonjudgmental toward others by noticing if they are thinking they should have done this or they shouldn’t have done thatShould and shouldn’t are indicators of judgmental thoughts.

How Can I Protect My Child?

The most important message you can give to bullied children is that it is not their fault. Even if your child has behavioral differences or aspects of their identity that might feel provocative to peers, this is never justification for kids (or adults) to mistreat your child. This core human right is particularly important in the case of children who are at elevated risk for victimization, including the following groups:

  • LGBTQIA children: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual
  • Kids who have autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sensory processing disorders (SPD)
  • Kids with physical disabilities and mental health conditions
  • Racial and ethnic minorities
  • Foster kids and adoptees

For all kids, whether or not they fall into the high-risk categories, it is critical to normalize asking for help sooner rather than later. Children who are bullied or who witness bullying often stay silent because they have been threatened into silence and they fear retaliation by the bullies.

  • Explain to kids that secrets should always be about something that makes them feel happy or excited (a surprise party or an art project they are making for someone). Let them know, “If you ever have a secret that makes you feel scared or sad, those feelings are how you know that the secret is something you need to tell an adult” (i.e., abuse, mistreatment, guilt about doing something like stealing or lying).

  • When kids come to us for help, be careful not to respond by victim-blaming. Avoid telling them why it’s their fault that this is happening or shaming them for their quirky behaviors or appearances.

  • Focus on restorative responses over punishments for bullying behaviors. Using a restorative approach encourages children to take ownership of the culture of their community. This will improve feelings of safety for the target, minimize retaliation by the aggressors, and reduce the recidivism rate.

Finally, kids who are vulnerable socially need to be reminded that they don’t need to seek out the most popular group to be happy. All they really need is one or two good friends. If it feels overwhelming for your child to walk into a group of peers, help your child identify just one potential ally.

As I told Sylvia, “Remind Ryan that he has already successfully bonded with one close friend. Even though Victor is gone, Ryan knows how to form a connection with a peer. He will be able to do it again.”

About the Author
Carrie Goldman is the award-winning author of Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear. Find more of her work at www.carriegoldmanauthor.com or on Twitter.

Sources

Healthline, “Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide: The Lasting Effects of Bullying,” 2016
National Center for Education Statistics, “Student Reports of Bullying: Results from the 2017 School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey,” 2019
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, “Preventing Bullying,” 2019
Stomp Out Bullying, “Sibling Bullying Is Damaging,” [n.d.]
Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention center, “Bullying Statistics,” 2020

Learn More

Common Sense Media, “Books That Teach Empathy,” [n.d.]
Goldman, Carrie, Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear, 2012
Goldman, Carrie, “Why Schools Should Take a Restorative Approach to Discipline Issues,” 2018

 

This post originally appeared on parents.britannica.com.
Britannica For Parents
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

We’re living in a time when it’s nearly impossible to distinguish fact from fiction. Parents need information they trust to help them make good decisions about raising their curious learners. Britannica for Parents provides safe and credible resources to empower all kids and parents and inspire curiosity for generations to come.

Photo: iStock

October is Bullying Prevention Month, and it is an important time to talk about how bullying can affect kids and teens, and what you can do as a parent to empower them to take action and help deal with the issues they themselves or their friends may be going through.

In a nationwide survey of U.S. parents and teens commissioned by a global online entertainment platform Roblox, 22 % of parents shared that their children have personally experienced some form of online bullying, and nearly 1 in 5 teens confirmed they’ve experienced online bullying within the previous 12 months. With stay-at-home requirements this year and most kids spending more time online, some of this behavior will likely have moved into the digital spaces kids and teens hang out in. 

We spoke with kids and teens in the Roblox community and also got recommendations from experts at global organizations like The Diana Award and Project Rockit that are focused on raising resilient digital citizens and training young people to stand up instead of standing by. Here are their top 10 tips to share with your kid or teen to help them manage a hard situation they might be experiencing with online bullying:

1. Talk to someone about it. Alex Holmes, deputy CEO at The Diana Award, an organization providing resources and support for people who are experiencing bullying, recommends: “Let someone—anyone—know how you are feeling, sense check the situation by asking someone ‘this just happened, what do you think’? Often instead of worrying on your own you might get a different perspective or take on the situation which may lead to you feeling much better and lead to you feeling supported and valued.” 

2. If you find it really hard to speak to someone, try writing a message. Holmes advises to consider sending a text or an email, or reaching out to an anonymous helpline or service. Some schools and colleges have anti-bullying ambassadors or peer support projects, and you might even find it helpful to get involved yourself.

3. Find your allies. A co-founder of Project Rockit, Australia’s youth-driven movement against (cyber)bullying, Lucy Thomas notes that while it sounds obvious, sometimes we need to ask people to stand up for us: “This doesn’t mean picking a fight with the person who is giving you a hard time. Instead, they could try interrupting nasty comments with a distraction, or posting positive content to show they have your back. If your opponent knows you have people on your side, they are less likely to continue hassling you.” By the way, some good news: in our survey of nearly 600 teens, almost everyone (96%) said they’re likely to help a friend they see being bullied online!

4. Don’t let others take over your problem. While it’s important to seek help, another recommendation from The Diana Award is not to let others overtake your issue. Instead you can say: “I’d like you to listen, and perhaps we can solve this together.’” Then come up with a strategy together that feels good to you.

5. Look after yourself. Bullying can take its toll on emotional wellbeing, so make sure you surround yourself with people you like and do things that make you happy. Also, look after the physical side; you need to eat well and sleep. 

6. Remember that you are strong. “When someone treats you in the wrong way, it affects our emotions, feelings and mood,” explains Holmes adding that it’s natural to feel upset or vulnerable, but that doesn’t make you weak. “We should try and remember the strength each and every one has inside of us. The talent and skills you possess, the great friend you are to others and the potential you have to make the world a better place. What’s happening to you isn’t ok but it doesn’t define you, and things will get better.”

7. Use self-moderation tools like block and report on Roblox (or similar tools on other platforms) as recommended by our community saying: “These are powerful tools that give you back control. Make sure you know how to use them on all the apps and websites you use.” Parents can also report bad actors or inappropriate content together with their kids which helps them understand what to do and shows solidarity.

8. Resist the urge to retaliate. Project Rockit experts stress that there is no sense in repaying hate with hate: “Retaliating only keeps the cycle going. Besides, we’ve got to keep in mind that those who hate from behind a screen are not truly anonymous. Neither are you!” You definitely don’t want to provide your attackers with ammunition that could be used against you later. If you stay strong in treating others online as you would offline, you’ll find it much easier to remain connected to who you really are, even in the face of (cyber)bullying.

9. Help a friend or others targeted by online hate. So what if you see someone being bullied? Thomas notes that one of the most awful parts of (cyber)bullying is feeling totally humiliated in front of a huge public audience—this is a super isolating experience. That’s why she recommends, “Even if you aren’t confident enough to stand up for someone in the moment or it doesn’t feel safe, you can still send them a private message or chat with them face-to-face to let them know you don’t agree with the way they’re being treated. It seems small but can honestly change a person’s life.” Be cautious if you plan to challenge the person directly; you don’t want to escalate the problem but it’s ok to say you don’t like what they’re doing.

10. Make your world a better place. The team at The Diana Award shared some words of empowerment saying: “If you’ve experienced bullying, what you went through wasn’t great, but hopefully you resolved it and became stronger and more resilient as a consequence. Now use that experience as a learning or teaching moment, empower others who find themselves in a similar situation, guide them and stand up quietly or loudly when you next see the same sort of behavior.” 

 

As Director of Digital Civility at Roblox, Laura Higgins leads the company's groundbreaking initiative focused on providing the community with the skills needed to create positive online experiences, in partnership with the world’s leading safety and industry organizations. Higgins has over 20 years of experience building proven safeguarding, online safety and civility programs. 

 

You’ve taught your little ones their ABC’s, their 123’s and so many important life skills. One more lesson we all want our kids to learn: kindness. October is National Bullying Prevention Month, which is why we’ve teamed up with Google’s Be Internet Awesome program to share how you can help your kids learn that it’s cool to be kind on the web and in the real world! Read on for five easy ways to teach your kids the power of kindness this month.

Get Crafty

Canva

A big part of kindness is being appreciative of others, and letting them know through words and actions. Help your kids learn about appreciating others by breaking out the craft supplies and creating homemade thank you cards! Ask them who they want to make a thank you card for and why they want to thank that person to help them put extra thought behind their kind actions.

Be Internet Awesome

So much of our kid's communication is digital, which is why it's critical for kids to learn about being kind and positive online! Be Internet Awesome is Google's free program that helps teach kids to be positive digital citizens and how to be safer and smarter online. The program includes a fun web game, Interland, guides and tips for families and a curriculum for teachers. Kick off conversations about kindness at home with a little fun by diving into Interland’s Kind Kingdom game that focuses on kindness!

Read All About It

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Reading is a great way for kids (and adults!) to expand their worldview, put themselves in other people's shoes and learn life lessons. We've rounded up a few of our favorite books that focus on bullying and bullying prevention here, with options from kids picture books to chapter books for more advanced readers. For kids who are reading on their own, set aside some time to talk about the book—asking if they learned anything or what they would do in the situations the characters encounter!

Create a Kindness Chain

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Kindness doesn't have to be a big gesture, it's all about the small thoughtful moments! For National Bullying Prevention Month, Google's Be Internet Awesome program is encouraging families to come together to create a paper kindness chain. Cut paper into strips, write a kind action for on or offline on each one and staple each piece of paper end-to-end to make a chain. Each day, remove a link from the chain and challenge your family to complete that act of kindness! Stuck on ideas? We've got 95 random acts of kindness to get your creative juices flowing!

Give Back

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Giving back to others helps kids learn to think of people outside of their family and close friends! There are tons of family-friendly volunteer activities you can do without even leaving the house, including donating used toys or making no-sew dog toys for your local animal shelter.

Be Internet Awesome is a free resource that gives families the tools they need to build safer and healthier online habits. Learn more about Be Internet Awesome here!

School is right around the corner, and with the fun and excitement of any new environment with school-aged children comes the threat of bullies. Statistics show that 160,000 kids stay home from school each day to avoid being bullied. While most schools have a zero-tolerance policy in the handbooks for bullying behavior, it is important to teach your children what to do when they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation at school.

1. Walk Away: Oftentimes, bullies engage in negative behavior because they are seeking attention. Rather than breaking down in tears or firing back insults, tell your child to simply walk away. Explain to your child that by walking away, your child takes control of the situation and removes the power from the bully.

2. Keep Calm and Carry On: If your child does not feel physically threatened, encourage them to take a deep breath, use body language to show they are not afraid (stand tall, make eye contact) and ask the bully point-blank to stop.

3. Remove Yourself from the Situation: If a bully is always lurking around by a specific lunch table or in a hallway, avoid that area or take a different route. As long as your child isn’t going out of their way to circumvent the bully, avoidance is a pretty easy rule of thumb.

4. Adopt the Buddy System: There is safety in numbers—two or more friends are less likely to be picked on than a child who is alone. Remind your child to stay with a buddy who they feel safe with throughout the day, or where bullying situations may occur.

5. Report the Behavior to a Trusted Adult: Whether it is a teacher, school counselor, administrator or another adult who works at the school, encourage your child to speak up to someone they can confide in. Many times, children worry about being tattletales (which would give a bully more ammunition), making it important to empower them to have a conversation with an authority figure in private. Nowadays, the words “I am being bullied” carry an immediate call to action, where a grown-up should intervene immediately.

Additionally, when it comes to bullying prevention, it is key for parents to empower their children at an early age to be comfortable in their own skin. Prior to the start of school, consider reading a picture book together that promotes self-acceptance. Many times, these books help to open the dialogue between a parent and child in a subtle way about an issue they might face, and how they’ll handle it.

Lori Orlinsky is a Chicago-based mom of two little ladies. She is the author of “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All),” a children's book available to order now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Barbara's Bookstore and in select stores nationwide. 

Summer Camp is right around the corner, and with the fun and excitement of any new environment with school-aged children comes the threat of bullies. Statistics show that 160,000 kids stay home from school each day to avoid being bullied, and sadly, bullies do not take summer vacation when the school year is over. While most camps have a zero tolerance policy in the handbooks for bullying behavior, it is important to teach your children what to do when they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation at camp.

Walk Away: Often times, bullies engage in negative behavior because they are seeking attention. Rather than breaking down in tears or firing back insults, tell your child to simply walk away. Explain to your child that by walking away, your child takes control of the situation and removes the power from the bully.

Keep Calm and Carry On: If your child does not feel physically threatened, encourage them to take a deep breath, use body language to show they are not afraid (stand tall, make eye contact) and ask the bully point blank to stop.

Remove Yourself from the Situation: If a bully is always lurking around by a specific lunch table, avoid that area or take a different route. As long as your child isn’t going out of their way to avoid the bully, avoidance is a pretty easy rule of thumb.

Adopt the Buddy System: There is safety in numbers—two or more friends are less likely to be picked on than a child who is alone. Remind your child to stay with a buddy who they feel safe with throughout the day, or where bullying situations may occur (the bus, restrooms, etc.).

Report the Behavior to a Trusted Adult: Whether it is a counselor, camp director or another adult who works at the camp, encourage your child to speak up to someone they can confide in. Many times, children worry about being tattletales, which would give a bully more ammunition, which is why it is important to empower them to have a conversation with an authority figure in private. Nowadays, the words “I am being bullied” carry an immediate call to action, where a grown-up should intervene immediately.

Additionally, when it comes to bullying prevention, it is key for parents to empower their children at an early age to be comfortable in their own skin. Prior to the start of camp, consider reading a picture book together that promotes self-acceptance, like “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All),” a book I wrote for my own daughter who was teased because she was the shortest kid in her class. Many times, these books help to open the dialogue between a parent and child in a subtle way about an issue they might face, and how they’ll handle it.

 

Lori Orlinsky is a Chicago-based mom of two little ladies. She is the author of “Being Small (Isn’t So Bad After All),” a children's book available to order now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Barbara's Bookstore and in select stores nationwide. 

It appears that fall has come in like a (very wet) lion, and it looks like it’s here to stay. With the rain and wind and general muddiness that comes along with a Seattle fall, also comes our inevitable and familiar parental thoughts: “How am I going to fill up a whole rainy day with activities?” Well, look no further than the latest place to bounce (and jump, and slide, and climb) around—Xtreme Bounce of Fun!

The 411
Having a young child in Seattle means spending lots of time finding new indoor places to play, and Xtreme Bounce owners Monteze and Sojourner Thomas, Sr. realized that while the typical bouncy house place was lots of fun for their three-year-old son, often he would be overrun by the big kids while he attempted to bounce and slide, making it no fun for him and scary for his parents. With a nod to safety, fun and exercise for the Littles, Xtreme Bounce of Fun was born. Keeping our little kiddos safe while they have fun is their number one priority!

Location, location, location
Located in the newly rebranded Outlet Collection of Seattle (formerly the Supermall) in Auburn, Xtreme Bounce is just under 2700 square feet of colorful, clean and cool fun for your tots. Admission gets your kiddo a whole day of play, with in and out privileges so you can fuel up at the recently updated food court or take a spin on the mall’s gorgeous carousel (located directly in front of Xtreme Bounce) before coming back for more fun.

What’s the equipment like?
All the equipment in Xtreme Bounce is built on a unique brand of play equipment, which combines bouncy house fun with motion! Kids can be no taller than 48”, making it ideal for the mostly five and under crew. All equipment is brightly colored, easy for kids to climb up and on, and all the moving parts are controlled by remote control, allowing the team members to stop and start the powered rides as kids get on and off.

There is a toddler play area full of age-appropriate toys and equipment like the bouncy tub filled with “sea life” and the light up slide for the crawlers in your crew, while the bigger kids can slide into the ball pit, bounce with the balloons, ride on the coolest swings in town or tap into their inner monkey on the climber.

The equipment and floors are soft and cushioned for that inevitable spill off the bottom of the slide or swings. All equipment and toys are cleaned regularly (the ball pit balls are rotated nightly) or are removed from the play area when they inevitably end up as a toddler’s chew toy, and socks are required to keep the play space extra spotless. Think carnival rides mixed with a bouncy house just for tots and without the need for bathing in hand sanitizer afterwards, and you’ve got an Xtreme Bounce of Fun, indeed!

Party like it’s your birthday!
Does your kidlet have a birthday coming up soon? Xtreme Bounce is your birthday party headquarters! Their 90-minute Xtreme Birthday Bash party package hosts up to 15 kids and includes a 350-square foot private party room, unlimited open play, a party host, napkins, forks, spoons, cups and plates, candles, a Honey Bear mascot and a free return play pass and mall carousel token for the birthday kid! You are welcome to bring any food and sweets your little kiddo desires, and extras like balloons are available for a fee. And as a Grand Opening treat, if you book between now and October 18, you’ll get $50 off your party. Can you say xtremely convenient, Mom and Dad?

Grand Opening celebration
Xtreme Bounce of Fun is now open and ready to delight and excite your kiddos, but their Grand Opening celebration will coincide with the Outlet Collection’s Grand Reopening October 17-19. Since October is National Bullying Prevention Month, Xtreme Bounce’s Grand Opening theme will be Bullying Prevention and they will have chances to win free guest passes and a free birthday package, as well as games, face painting and other kid-tastic events.

What’s on the radar?
In the future, Thomas hopes to add special events like storytimes and holiday events—he wants to keep things fun and fresh for parents and kids. Keep an eye on their Facebook or Twitter pages for information on upcoming events and specials, as well as their Grand Opening celebration. You and your kids will both be xcited with the fresh new playtime at Xtreme Bounce of Fun!

Xtreme details
Adults and pre-crawlers are always free, and you can bring your kiddo’s favorite snacks or lunch and eat at tables provided for just that reason. Seating is available throughout the area for parents and caregivers, or feel free to crawl around with your kiddo-just don’t forget your socks! 
 
Good to know:
  • Kids must be no taller than 48”.
  • Socks must be worn at all times (kids and adults). Fun socks are available for $2 if you forget or just want to purchase a new pair!
  • Admission allows in and out privileges all day.
Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
(Hours follow mall hours; check here to confirm before you visit)\
 
Admission (valid all day): 
$10 per child
$8 per sibling or per kid in groups of 8 or more
$5 per child during Happy Hour (one hour before close)
All military and veterans get a 10% discount towards admission and party packages
Precrawlers and adults always free
 
Punch Cards
$40 for 5 visits
$80 for 10 visits
 
Xtreme Birthday Bash & Party Room Reservations
$189 Birthday Bash, Monday – Thursday
$249 Birthday Bash, Friday – Sunday
Grand Opening Special – Take $50 off the party package until 10-18-13
$149 Room Rental only, Monday-Friday
 
Xtreme Bounce of Fun
Outlet Collection of Seattle (next to northeast entrance of mall across from WalMart)
1101 SuperMall Way 
Auburn, Wa  98001
253-326-0077
Online:  xtremebounceoffun.com/
Facebook:  facebook.com/XtremeBounceOfFun
Twitter:  Xtremebounce
 

Do you think you’ll be visiting Xtreme Bounce soon?  Let us know in a comment below!

-Erin Cranston, words and photos too!