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Parents in Racine are still telling their kids the same thing we were told decades ago: “Just ignore the bully and they’ll go away.” As a former public school teacher with a Master’s in Education, I can tell you that ignoring a problem doesn’t make it disappear—it makes it manifest into something bigger.
Bullying isn’t going away. It’s been a reality in schools for generations. The problem today is that while schools talk about it constantly, many kids have tuned out the message because they don’t want to be labeled as a “victim.”
The Vocal Standoff
We need to stop teaching our kids to be passive targets. We need to teach them to stand up using a Vocal Standoff. It is perfectly okay for your child to look a bully in the eye and say, “Shut your mouth. I’m not having it today.” That isn’t being a bully; that’s setting a firm boundary.
If the behavior happens twice, it’s a pattern. That’s when you must involve the teacher and, most importantly, the parents.
The “Parent Gap”
When we host bully prevention workshops at Championship Martial Arts – Racine, we ask the kids: “Who should you talk to if you’re being bullied?” You know who is almost always last on the list? Parents.
Kids often don’t know how to talk to you about it. They are afraid of looking weak. This is why you must roleplay the conversation.
The Roleplay Script
Practice this at home so the words feel natural in their mouth:
“Mom/Dad, I’m being bullied at school by [Name]. They are saying [Specifics]. Can you help me?”
When you roleplay this, you give them the “Focus and Grit” to handle the situation before it spirals. Just like we discussed with the 3-Second Bus Stop Test, your child needs a plan of action, not a suggestion to “ignore it.”
The 3-Step Action Plan (The Snippet Trap)
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The 2-Strike Rule: Teach your child that if someone bothers them twice, it is time to escalate.
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Practice the Vocal Standoff: Have your child practice saying “Stop” or “Shut your mouth” with a strong, “Yes, Sir” style voice.
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Initiate the Dialogue: Tonight at dinner, ask: “If someone was being mean to you at school, what exactly would you say to me to get my help?” Roleplay their answer.
Visit Our Southeast Wisconsin Locations
Racine: Championship Martial Arts – Racine | 📞 (262) 205-5929 Kenosha: Championship Martial Arts – Kenosha | 📞 (262) 288-9919 Oak Creek: Championship Martial Arts – Oak Creek | 📞 (414) 250-7615