#STOMPOutBullying! on Blue Shirt Day #GoBlue2EndBullying2016 #BlueShirtDay2016

October is National Bullying Prevention Month! People everywhere are standing up and making a difference by raising awareness to bullying prevention!   Today, people everywhere will be wearing a blue shirt in solidarity to raise awareness of anti-bullying programs & #STOMPOutBullying around the world, including my daughter Gabby!

I'm so proud of my daughter and the stand she's taken against bullying. One of her good friends is transgender. When other friends made fun of him and gave him a hard time, my daughter stood by him and supported him every step of the way, from cutting his hair short to buying his first set of clothes that he felt confident in. 

In addition to offering her friend the support that he needed, she also took it a step further. Together, the two of them started a branch of the Gay-Straight Alliance in their high school, which encouraged many other kids to stand up for themselves or the people they love.  Today, the GLBT community in her school doesn't have to worry about getting bullied when they walk down the halls. My daughter helped STOMP Out Bullying in her school. She makes me so proud to be her mom.

You can make a different too! It only takes one person making a stand to make a real difference.We are all different, but if we all stand together, no one stands alone!  Here are a few tips to help you get started, courtesy of StompOutBullying.org:

Report Bullying

Don't be afraid to tell an adult. Telling isn't tattling! You are helping someone.

Who should you tell? You could tell your parents, teacher, school counselor, school nurse, coach or any adult you trust.

Be sure to tell exactly what happened ... who was bullied, who the bully was, where and when it happened. Even if you suspect a kid is being bullied, it's a good idea to report that, too. Most adults really do care about bullying and will be glad that you told them about it.

If you tell an adult and you don't think they are doing anything about the bullying or if the situation isn't improving, tell another adult. Keep telling adults until someone does something to help.

Be A Friend To Someone Who Is Being Bullied

When someone is down they need a friend. Be there for the person who is being bullied. Be a buddy on school grounds, get together after school, include them in activities, Walk home with them, sit with them on the bus. Being an understanding and supportive friend means so much. Show a kid who is being bullied that you care about them.

Stand Up To The Bully

If you feel safe and comfortable, tell the bully that what they are doing is mean and wrong. It's not cool and they should stop. Keep it simple.

For example, if someone verbally or emotionally bullies you, look them in the eye and say STOP IT NOW.” And then walk away. Even if they are bulling you as you walk away – keep walking.

Do not bully them back. If you are not comfortable standing up to the bully, tell an adult.

If You are Left Out Of A Group And Being Bullied

Very often someone you thought was your friend, has joined the bully’s side. While this does hurt you, ask yourself … how much of a friend could they have really been if they’re doing this to you.

Find other friends, join groups and clubs at school. The best revenge is for you to be happy!

REMEMBER

• It's NOT your fault. No one deserves to be bullied!
• Don’t fight back or bully a person back. It won't make things any better and it will probably get you into trouble. The ONLY time to   fight back is if someone is physically hurting you. At the same time others who see this should seek help from a trusted adult.
• Never keep the pain of being bullied to yourself. Tell someone. Tell a friend. Tell a trusted adult. Report it!!! Telling is NOT tattling.
• Don’t skip school or avoid friends, sports or clubs because you’re afraid of the bully. You have a right to be there just as much as   the bully does.
• No matter how bad you feel, hurting yourself or thinking about suicide is NOT the answer. Nothing is that bad. Talk with an adult   and get help.

Does your school have a peer mentoring group?

If so, talk to them. Ask for help.

Kids who are not bullying victims can help too. Ask your principal if you can start a peer mentoring group. You and your group can start a bully-free community in school. Before you know it the only lonely ones will be the bullies who will surely want to change their behavior when they're left out.

Join STOMP Out Bullying™ TODAY for Blue Shirt Day® World Day Of Bullying Prevention! GO BLUE and make it the day bullying prevention is heard around the world.