"He took a few cups of love. He took one tablespoon of patience, one teaspoon of generosity, one pint of kindness. He took one quart of laughter, one pinch of concern, and then he mixed willingness with happiness. He added lots of faith, and he stirred it up well. Then he spread it over a span of a lifetime, and he served to each and every person he met."
--Muhammad Ali's words to a British journalist in 1972 for how he wanted to be remembered which became known as his recipe for life. Muhammad Ali was born January 17, 1942 and died June 3, 2016.
In working with families and children in the Growing Healthy
Kids movement, one of the hardest things is meeting children who have been bullied.
One of the long-term psychological consequences of being an overweight
child is caused by the bullying inflicted by other kids. You have probably heard the expression, “Kids
can be cruel.” Sticks and stones can
break our bones. Harmful or mean words, however,
can damage our soul.
Bullying is never OK.
Some of the families I work with to get to healthier weights have
children who become withdrawn, skip school, and suffer from depression and/or
low self-esteem as a result of what other kids have said or done to them, often because no adults did anything to
protect them from the bully. Picking a
kid last for an activity because they are overweight. Calling someone “fattie”. Leaving one person off the birthday invitation
list when everyone else in the class is invited. Ostracizing someone. These are some of the ways our children are
being bullied because they are overweight.
Bullying is defined as unwanted, aggressive behavior among
school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the
potential to be repeated, over time.
Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting
problems.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Be a positive role model for your kids and all
the kids in your neighborhood. Be kind
to everyone. Watch the words you use so they
will not hurt others. If you see someone
who is bullying a child, stop it on the spot.
To learn more about National Bullying Prevention Month and resources for your family, your school, and your community, please click here or go to www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm.
In gratitude,
Nancy L. Heinrich, MPH
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.
