10 Days to a Bully-Proof Child by Sherryll Kraizer

Bullying is a problem, and as someone who teaches bully prevention and anti-abduction in my Self-Defense For Kids programs, I am always studying the topic.  I just finished reading 10 Days to a Bully-Proof Child by Sherryll Kraizer and here is a review I wrote:

10 Days to a Bully-Proof Child: The Proven Program to Build Confidence and Stop Bullies for Good by Sherryll Kraizer contains a wealth of information to help kids build confidence and stop bullies and bullying in our schools and neighborhoods. It is based on the “Take a Stand” anti-bullying program that can be found in schools nationwide.

While the book will help educators and others who work with children, the real target market for the information in this guide is parents and how they can help their children become “Bully-Proof.” The book is divided into ten chapters, or daily lessons. Each lesson contains role play exercises and advice geared toward teaching children about bullies and what to do to stop them. These are the ten days:

Day 1: Understanding Bullying: Who Are the Bullies and Targets?

Day 2: Taking Action: If Your Child Is Being Bullied or Is a Bully

Day 3: Developing Empathy for Others

Day 4: Communicating What You Mean, Like You Mean It

Day 5: Learning to Listen and Read Social Cues

Day 6: Speaking Up for Yourself: Understanding Assertiveness

Day 7: Resolving Conflicts: When a Bully Shows Up

Day 8: Being a Good Friend

Day 9: Staying Safe Online: Preventing Cyber-Bullying

Day 10: Advocating for Others

I really liked the chapter on assertiveness, as I feel this is an extremely important concept to learn for keeping oneself safe at all ages. Everyone should know the difference between passive, assertive, and aggressive and how to effectively be assertive. Teaching kids this will definitely help them deal with bullies. I also like the observation games and think awareness is another critical component to not only dealing with bullies but many dangers. Awareness and observation are essential to staying safe.

I also really like the emphasis on role-playing, and hope parents will actually do the role-plays with their children.  This is an effective way to teach the concepts in this book and prepare children for the real world situations they will find themselves in.

One thing that I disagree with the author on is her statement that “fighting is not an option.” Fighting back when physically assaulted is an option, and at times it might be the only or best option. I agree that it should never be the first option, but if other options have been exhausted and a bully physically assaults a child, I rather have that child fight back and get to safety when they can, rather than get beat up and hurt.  And when it comes to self-confidence and fighting, I disagree with the author and believe for many it would be better to fight back and lose than to do nothing and feel the shame of getting knocked around without standing up or doing anything.

I think this is a good book for any parent concerned with bullying. There will be those that agree 100%, and others like me that will supplement the information and role-play exercises in this book with some physical self-defense training. Bullying is a problem, and it is up to all of us to help stop it. This book offers some good guidance to do just that.

Check out 10 Days to a Bully-Proof Child on amazon: