Bullying: A serious problem

Bullying is when one child picks on another child again and again. Usually children who are being bullied are either weaker or smaller, are shy, and generally feel helpless.

Facts About Bullying
•Both girls and boys can be bullies.
•Bullies target children who cry, get mad, or easily give in to them.
•There are 3 types of bullying.
◦Physical—hitting, kicking, pushing, choking, punching
◦Verbal—threatening, taunting, teasing, hate speech ◦Social—excluding victims from activities or starting rumors about them
Bullying Happens:
•At school—in the halls, at lunch, or in the bathroom, when teachers are not there to see what is going on.
•When adults are not watching—going to and from school, on the playground, or in the neighborhood.
•Through e-mail or instant messaging—rumors are spread or nasty notes are sent.
Bullying is Different from Fighting or Teasing:
•A bully has power over another child.
•Bullies try to control other children by scaring them.
•Being picked on over and over can make your child a victim.
•Bullying usually happens when other children are watching.
Talk With Your Child About Bullying
Even if you don’t think your child is bullied, a bully, or a bystander, you will be helping to protect your child just by asking these questions:

•“How are things going at school?”
•“What do you think of the other kids in your class?”
•“Does anyone get picked on or bullied?”
When your child is bullied Talk with your child about how to stay safe. Bullies always pick on smaller or weaker children. If there is a fight, and the bully “wins,” this will only make matters worse for your child.

Help your child learn how to respond
Let’s talk about what you can do and say if this happens again.

Teach your child how to:
•Look the bully in the eye.
•Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
•Walk away.
Teach your child how to say in a firm voice:
•“I don’t like what you are doing.”
•“Please do NOT talk to me like that.”
• “Why would you say that?”
Just telling your child to do and say these things is not enough. For many children, these skills do not come naturally. It is like learning a new language—lots of practice is needed. Practice so that, in the heat of the moment, these skills will come to your child naturally.

Teach your child when and how to ask for help. Your child should not be afraid to ask an adult for help when bullying happens. Since some children are embarrassed about being bullied, parents need to let their children know that being bullied is not their fault.

Encourage your child to make friends with other children. There are many adult-supervised groups, in and out of school, that your child can join. Invite your child’s friends over to your home. Children who are loners are more likely to get picked on.
Support activities that interest your child. By participating in activities such as team sports, music groups, or social clubs, your child will develop new abilities and social skills. When children feel good about how they relate to others, they are less likely to be picked on.

Alert school officials to the problems and work with them on solutions.

•Since bullying often occurs outside the classroom, talk with the principal, guidance counselor, or playground monitors, as well as your child’s teachers. When school officials know about bullying, they can help stop it.
•Write down and report all bullying to your child’s school. By knowing when and where the bullying occurs, you and your child can better plan what to do if it happens again.
•Some children who are bullied will fear going to school, have difficulty paying attention at school, or develop symptoms like headaches or stomach pains.
When Your Child is the Bully
If you know that your child is bullying others, take it very seriously. Now is the time when you can change your child’s behavior.

In the long run, bullies continue to have problems. These problems often get worse. If the bullying behavior is allowed to continue, then when these children become adults, they are much less successful in their work and family lives and may even get in trouble with the law.

Set firm and consistent limits on your child’s aggressive behavior. Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.

Be a positive role model. Children need to develop new and constructive strategies for getting what they want.

Show children that they can get what they want without teasing, threatening, or hurting someone. All children can learn to treat others with respect.

Use effective, nonphysical discipline, such as loss of privileges. When your child needs discipline, explain why the behavior was wrong and how your child can change it.

Help your child understand how bullying hurts other children. Give real examples of the good and bad results of your child’s actions.

Develop practical solutions with others. Together with the school principal, teachers, counselors, and parents of the children your child has bullied, find positive ways to stop the bullying.


SourceConnected Kids: Safe, Strong, Secure (Copyright © 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics)
Article found here on the HealthyChildren.org website

For more info on bullying check these sites out:
kidshealth.org
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/bullying
Medline Plus - NIH
Stop Bullying Now website
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/

"Safer than drugs? NOT!!

The choking game is not safer than drugs! The most common age for this fatal risk taking game is 11-16 yrs old, 87% are males. Many deaths from this are just thought to be suicides, not accidental suffocations.Causes irreversible brain damage, permanent disabilities and death. The "choking game" is an activity in which persons strangulate themselves to achieve euphoria through brief hypoxia. In simple terms: they choke themselves, cutting off the blood(that carries the oxygen) from the heart to the brain, thus passing out or near passing out. As they let go or unloosen the stangulation all the blood that has pooled rushes back up to give that person a "warm and fuzzy feeling". What happens when the warm and fuzzy feeling goes wrong and you pass out with whatever tied around your neck? You do not wake up, you die!!! If you, your child or your friends think this is fun and safer than drugs, better leave your obituary written out so your family can find it when you are gone. If you want a "warm and fuzzy feeling"  I will gladly get you a kitten or a puppy ;), they are warm and fuzzy, but alot less dangerous.

Thank you to the GASP Association for this great video, and thank you to Carrie at Ed4Ed on You Tube for making sure this was on You Tube for all to view.

~~~Leslie~~~
crazy ER nurse and not a fan of the Space Monkey

Playing the "Choking Game"?

I hope your answer to the above question is NO!!

This is not just a stupid kids game? This is a fatal choice to many children and teens, what choice will you make...Life or Death?

The choking game is a dangerous activity that older children and early adolescents sometimes play to get a brief high. They either choke each other or use a noose to choke themselves. After just a short time, children can pass out, which may lead to serious injury or even death from hanging or strangulation.

Since 1995, at least 82 children and adolescents have died as a result of playing "the choking game," according to a new study by CDC's Injury Center. Researchers analyzed media reports of deaths of children and adolescents from the choking game. Highlights from their findings address some common questions about this public health threat.

What is the choking game?

The choking game is a dangerous activity that older children and early adolescents sometimes play to get a brief high. They either choke each other or use a noose to choke themselves. After just a short time, children can pass out, which may lead to serious injury or even death from hanging or strangulation.

Who is most at risk for death from playing the choking game?

• Boys were much more likely to die from the choking game than girls; 87% of victims were boys.
• Most of the children that died were 11-16 years old (89%).
• Nearly all of the children who died were playing the game alone when they died.
• Deaths have occurred all over the United States; the choking game isn't limited to one area of the country.
What are the warning signs that a child is playing the choking game?

Parents, educators, health-care providers, or peers may observe any of the following signs that can indicate a child has been involved in the choking game:
• Discussion of the game or its aliases
• Bloodshot eyes
• Marks on the neck
• Wearing high-necked shirts, even in warm weather
• Frequent, severe headaches
• Disorientation after spending time alone
• Increased and uncharacteristic irritability or hostility
• Ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor
• The unexplained presence of dog leashes, choke collars, bungee cords, etc.
• Petechiae (pinpoint bleeding spots) under the skin of the face, especially the eyelids, or the conjunctiva (the lining of the eyelids and eyes)

What are some of the other names used for the choking game?

• Pass-out game
• Space monkey
• Suffocation roulette
• Scarf game
• The American dream
• Fainting game
• Something dreaming game
• Purple hazing
• Blacking out/blackout
• Dream game
• Flat liner
• California choke
• Space cowboy
• Airplaning
• Purple dragon
• Cloud nine

How quickly can someone die after playing the choking game?
Someone can become unconscious in a matter of seconds. Within three minutes of continued strangulation (i.e., hanging), basic functions such as memory, balance, and the central nervous system start to fail. Death occurs shortly after.

Are there non-fatal, long-term consequences of the choking game?
• Loss of consciousness and death of brain cells due to oxygen deprivation in the brain; coma and seizures may occur in severe cases
• Concussions or broken bones (including jaws) from falls associated with the choking game
• Hemorrhages of the eye

How can the choking game be prevented?
Research is not available on the best strateges to prevent the choking game. However, parents, educators, and health-care providers should be made aware of this public health threat and the warning signs that adolescents may be playing the game.
(above information copied from the CDC website)


More Information :

Unintentional Strangulation Deaths Among Children and Adolescents: The "Choking Game" – United States, 1995-2007  CDC link
 CDC feature "the choking game"
The Choking Game Can Be Deadly--  deadly choking game
 For Kevins Sake- a fatal victim
GASP website
Youtube video about Choking Game


Be educated and Be Safe~~~ Leslie~~~

Start the New Year with some Safety Pledges for your kids

Internet Safety Pledge

1.I WILL TALK WITH MY PARENTS OR GUARDIAN ABOUT THEIR EXPECTATIONS AND GROUND RULES FOR GOING ONLINE

I will talk with my parents or guardian so that we can set up rules for going online. The rules will include the time of day that I may be online, the length of time I may be online, whom I may communicate with while online, and appropriate areas for me to visit while online. I will not break these rules or access other areas without their permission.

I will never download anything from anyone I don't know. In addition to offensive content, spam or junk e-mail may contain viruses that can damage my computer.

2.I WILL KEEP MY IDENTITY PRIVATE

I will never share personal information such as my full name, my mailing address, my telephone number, the name of my school, or any other information that could help someone determine my actual identity.

I will also not reveal any personal information about my friends or family. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents or guardian.

3.I WILL NEVER RESPOND TO ANY ONLINE COMMUNICATION THAT MAKES ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE

I will tell a trusted adult if I come across any information that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

I will never respond to any messages that are rude or offensive in any way. I will show the message to a trusted adult right away so that he or she can decide if it’s necessary to contact the online service or other authorities.

4.I WILL NEVER MEET IN PERSON WITH ANYONE I HAVE FIRST “MET” ONLINE WITHOUT DISCUSSING IT WITH MY PARENTS OR GUARDIAN

Since the biggest danger to my safety is getting together with someone I have first “met” online, I won’t meet in person with anyone unless my parents or guardian agrees to the meeting, they will go with me to the meeting, and the meeting will be in a public place.

5.I WILL RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE’S RIGHTS WHILE ONLINE

The Internet is a large community; therefore, my behavior while on it affects others. I will always treat others the way I would like to be treated.

I will respect copyright laws and check on sources. When writing reports I will make sure that the online sources of information are credible, and I will always cite my sources.

Piracy is illegal and keeps authors, artists, and others from getting paid for their work. I will never download things such as pictures, games, music, or movies that have not been given to the public for free.

Real World Safety Pledge

1.I WILL TAKE SOMEONE WITH ME WHEREVER I GO.

If I go anywhere, I will take a friend, brother, or sister with me. When I am with friends and something happens, there is a better chance that we can help each other to be safer.

I will get permission if I need to go out alone and make sure that a parent or guardian knows the details of my whereabouts.

2.I WILL TELL A TRUSTED ADULT WHERE I AM GOING AT ALL TIMES.
It's important that a trusted adult knows where I am going to be, who I'll be with, what I'll be doing, and when I'll be back. I will check in regularly by directly telling, leaving a note, or leaving a phone or e-mail message letting my trusted adult know the details of my whereabouts.
By keeping others informed about my activities, I can better protect myself. If I'm ever faced with a risky situation or get into trouble, my family and friends will know where to begin looking for me. I will avoid situations that put me at risk in the first place.

3.I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY "NO."
I have the right to reject unwanted and inappropriate attention such as teasing, touching, and bullying. If someone – anyone – touches me in a way that makes me feel uncomfortable, I have the right to say "NO." I will pay attention to my feelings and use my best judgment.

Whether it is peer pressure about sex, drugs, or doing something that I know is wrong, I will be strong and stand my ground. I will make my feelings known by using a firm, loud, voice clearly stating 'No." If my friends are making bad decisions, that doesn't mean I have to, and I will try to help stop them from doing so.

4.I WILL TELL A TRUSTED ADULT IF I FEEL SCARED, UNCOMFORTABLE, OR CONFUSED.
I will talk about my problems and concerns with a trusted adult; and I know someone will be there to help me. I will remember there is a solution to every problem and talking it through with a trusted adult will help. I will trust my intuition by recognizing when I am feeling uncomfortable and taking action to get myself out of that situation.

You may download printable pledges here http://www.netsmartz.org/resources/pledge.htm#mshs
to share with your kids and sign. Don't just assume that your kids know this information, anytime is the right time to talk about safety online or offline.

What do you do if you believe your child has been approached online by a predator? You can contact your local law enforcement and go here for more information.

Click here for the Cyber TipLine and more info

Free Car Seat Check~

Come out on Saturday and join us for a free car seat/booster seat inspection, bring your car seat/and or booster seat, the instructions book that came with your seat if possible, the vehicle manual and the child who will use the seat (if possible). We invite new parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, caretakers, or anyone that drives with a child in their car. Even if you just need information, stop by and say hello, we will have Certified Car Seat Technicians on hand to answer your questions.

For more info contact Amanda Peters at the Iredell County Health Department or email me at ernursescare@charter.net

Car Seat Safety Week Celebrated

This is some wonderful information I found on the CentralfoothillsMommies.com blog about car seat safety, kudos to Jaime for posting it.
By Sarah on High Country Mom Squad • on September 10, 2009

I remember when my first daughter was born prematurely, we didn’t get to put her in the carseat for the drive home right away. She was six weeks early, when I had severe preeclampsia, but thankfully, she did not have to go to the NICU (just a level 2 nursery), she didn’t have severe problems, and we went home after 12 days.
Before we took her home, we had to go through a “car seat test” where they set HipChick in her car seat for 30 minutes and monitored her oxygen saturation. Well, she failed the test, meaning that sitting up in her carseat made her chest compress so she couldn't breathe well. I had never heard of a “Car Bed,” but that’s what we took her home in! (I’ll try to find a picture today)
But speaking of carseat safety, I spent some time this week on a conference call with Amy Lupold Bair (Resourceful Mommy) and representatives the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) about Child Passenger Safety Week, September 12-18.

I learned tons of new information on that call, and I’ve been carting kids around for eight years! They talked about the LATCH system, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. Out of eight years of carseats, I have never realized that I needed to use a tether or lower anchors!


NHTSA has put together tons of information for parents regarding Child Seat Safety, and the LATCH system, so thanks to modern technology and social media, we can be fully informed and armed with the information we need! Here are some websites where you can see information, videos, downloadable instructions, and more:

http://childcarsafety.adcouncil.org/ – Child Passenger Safety Landing Page

Here you can download fact sheets, diagrams, and instructions, and link to all the places Child Passenger Safety can be found on the web.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Child-Passenger-Safety/144641660131
Child Passenger Safety: www.nhtsa.gov/cps
Twitter: http://twitter.com/childseatsafety
Inspection Station locator: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm
According to NHTSA, “According to a NHTSA study, 3 out of 4 kids are not as secure in the car as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly. The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) was developed to make it easier to correctly install car seats.”

So here are some quick facts from NHTSA:

Do I need to buy a new carseat? Is LATCH safer than using the seat belts for installation? Not necessarily. A carseat PROPERLY installed with a seat belt should be as safe as one properly installed with LATCH. LATCH should make it easier to get a proper installation.

Where do I get a tether anchor for my vehicle? Contact your local dealer or your manufacturer to see if a kit specific to your vehicle exists. Some dealers will install an anchor for free.

Can I use a tether on my convertible seat when it is rear-facing? NO, unless it is specifically stated in the manual. Britax and Sunshine Kids allow this on some of their models.

Click here to find a Car Seat Safety checkpoint near you! It definitely helps to have someone there to show you how to safely buckle in your car seat. I spoke with Appalachian Regional Health Care and Healthy Carolinians, and they are planning to do a Car Seat Safety Checkpoint this fall, probably in October. We’ll have more info on that soon.
Click here for all the places you can connect with NHTSA and receive valuable tips and updates!

Check out this handy widget with a video and lots of tips! You can share it on your blog, Facebook Page, email, or anywhere you can inset HTML code!



Stay safe and always buckle up!!
~~Leslie~~

Top 5 mistakes that new parents should avoid

~~September is Baby Safety Month ~~

Top Five Mistakes from Safe Kids:

1. Not having a safe sleep environment. Put babies back to sleep in cribs that meet safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) with a firm, tight fitting mattress. Remove pillows, loose sheets or blankets, stuffed toys, crib bumpers, sleep positioners and other soft bedding products before putting babies to sleep.


2.Holding a baby while cooking or carrying hot foods and liquids. Most scald burns in young children, especially in those ages 6 months to 2 years, are from spilled hot foods and liquids. If you need to cook or carry something hot, first strap the baby into a bouncy chair or high chair.


3.Leaving a baby unattended in the tub or near sinks, buckets and containers filled with water. The main reason babies drown is lack of supervision - often for a very short amount of time. Babies can slip out of bath seats, fall out of baby tubs, or tip forward or sideways into the water and drown in seconds. Children under 1 year usually drown in bathtubs, 5-gallon buckets, and toilets. Never leave a baby unattended in or near water - even for a second.


4.Turning infants facing-forward too early. For the best possible protection, keep your infant in a rear-facing child safety seat in a back seat for as long as possible - up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. The "12-months-and-20-pounds" rule that many parents cite when turning their child forward in the car is actually the minimum size and age requirement. Never turn a child forward-facing before age 1 and at least 20 pounds, although keeping kids rear-facing until about age 2 is safer if the seat allows.


5.Underestimating a baby's abilities and limitations. Babies will wiggle, kick, roll over, mouth their toys, move around, pull up, crawl, take her first steps and walk. Even if she can't do all of these things right now, there’s always a first time. As babies grow, they may have different abilities and limitations that put them at risk for injury. Parents should think ahead and ask themselves what they need to do to make their house a safe place for little ones, and they should share this information with other caregivers.
Baby Safety Month is an annual observance led by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association since 1991. To learn more about this year's focus, "JPMA Certification is the Key to Caring," visit www.jpma.org/bsm/2009.

~~Leslie~~