Change the feelings caused by bullying.
There's lots of info in Girl Stuff 8-12 about how to get help to combat bullies. Here's just one part of the plan, about how to turn around some of the bad feelings bullying can provoke:
First thought: ‘It must be my fault somehow.’
More useful thought: ‘No, it’s not my fault.’
‘It’s never going to stop.’
More useful thought: ‘There are things I can do to try to make it stop – and I’ll start right now.’
‘I have to face it alone.’
More useful thought: ‘I need to talk to an adult who can help.’
‘Nothing can help me.’
More useful thought: ‘There are lots of people and strategies that can help.’
‘Nobody likes me.’
More useful thought: ‘I need to find some of My People. These are not My People.’
‘I’m scared to go to school or where the bullies are, but I can’t escape.’"
More useful thought: ‘I can escape: I need help to stop this, or to move to another school.’
‘I feel rejected and depressed.’
More useful thought: ‘I need to find some friends and get some help. I will start feeling better and be back on the way to happiness.’
‘I need to pretend I’m fine and make lots of jokes.’
More useful thought: ‘I don’t have to pretend this is okay. It’s not a joke if only one side laughs.’
‘I should pick on someone else so that they do too, and leave me alone.’
More useful thought: ‘I won’t let them turn me into a mean person.’
‘They make me feel ashamed of myself, my family and my culture.’
More useful thought: ‘I’m proud of myself, my family and my culture. It’s the bullies who have the problem.’
‘I don’t fit in anywhere.’
More useful thought: ‘This is not a place where I would want to fit in. But there is a place for me where I can be different and fit in, and I’ll find it. I am not alone.’
The best books for educators to share on International Women’s Day 2021
The bestselling author and cartoonist on how to feel more confident.
Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.
Everything you need to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party!
Check out some of the Penguin Random House authors who will be at upcoming writers’ festivals.
Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.
Check out the long weekend reads Penguin employees are loving.
Our 2025 Penguin Noir events have wrapped up for another year – featuring four cities, four days, seven authors and a whole lot of crime!
Congrats to Samah Sabawi, author of Cactus Pear For My Beloved and Jumaana Abdu, author of Translations!
