This does not pertain to parenting alone, but is important to share, basically this is information that ceased a bad "mental" habit of mine.

I used to be a "thrower." You know, one of those people who throw things when they get angry. (Instead of resolving hostile feelings in a more logical way). The object of my aim - my better half. I threw the basic things - whatever was within reach - towels, shoes, big glass ashtrays.

One day I was flipping through the channels and a show was on about parents who were in prison for killing their children. One mom's story made me stop "throwing" cold turkey.

It seems that she was in jail for killing her 5-year old son. She, also, was a thrower. In a three second fit of anger, she says, she picked up a curtain rod and chucked it at her son. The curtain rod impaled his temple, killing him.

My thoughts were, wow! She screwed up her life and took that of another in a three second fit of rage. All the sorrow she must feel. She cried and described how she never had any intension of killing him, that was the last thing from her mind. How sad. Her story really made me think. I post this now, because if her experience can stop another "thrower" from becoming a danger - great.

Think of the consequences of your actions.

If you have a experience to share that helped you resolve an issue, please email me, we would love to post it to share and help others. maxgoingmental@hotmail.com

The School Bully Can Take a Toll on Your Child's Mental Health

When children are picked on by bullies, whether physically or mentally, many feel the need to suffer in silence for fear that speaking up will provoke further torture. But bullying is not a problem that usually just takes care of itself. Action needs to be taken.

Parents and caregivers are sometimes reluctant to intervene in conflicts between children but they can teach children not to take part in—or become victims of—bullying. Children can be taught to assert themselves effectively. As a caring adult, you can:

• Demonstrate assertive behavior. Teach children to ask for things directly and respond directly to each other. It is OK to say "no" to an unacceptable demand. Let children role-play with puppets or dolls.
• Teach social skills. Suggest ways for children to compromise or to express their feelings in a positive way. Show children how to resolve problems firmly and fairly.
• Identify potential friendship problems and correct them. Teach children how to ignore routine teasing. Not all provocative behavior must be acknowledged. Teach children the value of making new friends.
• Teach common courtesy skills. Teach children to ask nicely and to respond appropriately to polite requests.
• Identify ways to respond to bullies. Help children identify acts of aggression, bossiness or discrimination. Encourage children not to give up objects or territory to bullies. This discourages bullying behavior.
• Demonstrate the rewards of personal achievement. Teach children to trust and value their own feelings. They will be more likely to resist peer pressure, respect warm and caring adults, and be successful in achieving their personal goals.

Children who are victims or witnesses to acts of bullying often suffer from serious emotional problems including depression and anxiety. The Caring for Every Child's Mental Health Campaign is part of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program of the federal Center for Mental Health Services. Parents and caregivers who wish to learn more about mental well-being in children, please call 1-800-789-2647 (toll-free) or visit the Web site at www.mentalhealth.org/child. The federal Center for Mental Health Services is an agency of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.