Don't Let Anyone Bully You!

Blame seems to be everywhere these days but it doesn't help to fix anything at all. Bullies might feel better temporarily when they can find someone other than themselves to blame, but it doesn't help them in the long run.

These are some of the best phrases I've discovered for dealing with bullies and blamers. I hope they help you as much as they help me and I also hope you're in a situation where you can truly apply them.

#1

I don't let anyone hit me!  Set a good example by not allowing anyone to hit you and by not hitting anyone, ever. You can find a more detailed article about hitting here.

#2

I need more information or I need more time.  This tells people that you don't buckle under pressure and it gives you time to think. To bring this down to the level of young children you could say, I don't like that, I'll have to think of something to change it.

#3 

So, you're asking me to___________________________?  Correct? Sometimes just repeating an offensive request is enough to make a bully think.

#4

  Are you saying______?  Rephrasing can shed light on a lot of things.

#5

No! This word speaks for itself.

#6

I've decided to_____________and I'm not going to change my mind.

Be clear, be assertive, and know your boundaries.

When speaking with other adults about your job, it's best to be prepared for anything. Here are a few phrases you could use to assert your professionalism.

• I'm a professional, high-quality early childhood educator.

• This is as real as a job can get.

• I stand by the National Association for Young Children's Developmentally Appropriate Practices.

• I'm an early childhood professional, not a babysitter. I've never sat on a baby in my life!

• Emotions spark learning.

• Play is the universal language.

• During the first few years of life, young children develop a million new brain connections every second. That’s according to the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard. 

• I believe that equity in early childhood can change the world in a positive way!

Thanks for reading this!

Get the exact words to use when dealing with common childhood issues like cleaning up, tattling, or positive communication in this free eBook.

Early Childhood Rocks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing the world through early childhood education.

Nanci J Bradley is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning, and most of all, PLAY!  (click on the word) She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.