What is a Bully?
Hi, welcome to Gma’sPhoto. Since beginning to drive the bus in November, I have had the opportunity to witness many fun, exciting and concerning experiences. Every one has heard the saying, ‘kids will be kids’. But at what point is the ‘kids will be kids’ not be okay?
Mrs.E (Me): Is Beau and Mae on the bus today?
Kids: yes.
Mrs.E: At Beau and Mae’s house I stop to let them off bus.
Mrs.E: How’s the tempature back there?
Some kids: cold, other kids: hot.
I go with the kids who say cold and keep the heat turned to low. When I was dropping off the last rider, she told me the bus was in fact hot and two of the younger girls were crying because they were hot. They were sitting next to the heater.
I have since been paying attention to two particular young boys. They are pranksters. Very funny too. They have even gotten me to laugh on more than one occasion. These two boys will often times answer opposite of what is true. I am now waiting for them to answer no to a kid who is actually on the bus and I pass that child’s stop!
This had me thinking, what actually is a bully. ChildCare Education Institute explains there are four types of bully: physical, verbal, rational and cyberbullying.
Verbal bullying is such a broad subject. What is bullying changed to Am I a bully? I absolutely love comedians. So am I promoting bullying behavior? Comedians are always making fun of people and or events, that is their livelihood. Saturday Night Live is horrible at making fun of politics, targeting a particular party/person. Can you imagine how you would feel if you were that one person of the party? Probably wouldn’t be too funny. Are we bully’s for enjoying these programs?
We, as adults are supposed to prevent bullying. However, while enjoying the comedians and even finding humor in their presentations, I feel like a hypocrite- someone who pretends to have certain beliefs or qualities, but their actions contradict those beliefs.
What do you think? I would be interested in knowing. I find myself wondering about this more now that I am working around kids of many ages, kindergarten through high school.
Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
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This was an interesting post to read, Debra… lots to think about. I’m sure the families of the children who ride your bus are thankful that you have a watchful eye over what is going on. I was a teacher for many years and I’m sad to say that some bus drivers would tell me “I’m here to drive the kids, that’s it.” and while I understood I also knew that what started on the bus might carry over into the child’s day at school. The reality is, whatever that child experienced first at home that morning could easily carry over. I always did whatever I could to address the situation and diffuse it whenever possible. In terms of bullying, I always felt that boys and girls bullied differently and while I didn’t like either, I could more easily diffuse the physical stuff (usually boys) than the emotional (typically girls). Thanks for thinking about this and taking an active role!
I had no thought to how much work a bus driver does. It’s not near as ‘easy’ as I originally thought. There is the pre-trips, post-trips, checking under the hood, checking on the children staying safe while riding, all while I am having to pay attention to the traffic around me. Whew, I can say the parents are not aware of just what responsibilities the driver has. I am still having fun driving the bus! 🙂
Thank you for visiting and commenting.
Take care and best wishes.