Teens and Bullying, Part 2

Smart people may have good answers, but truly wise people have good questions.

Continuing our musings on the issue of teen bullying and the emotional and physical scars being developed at an alarming rate these days, I'd like to pose some questions that will help us as parents/mentors of teenagers as we seek to develop a culture of love, compassion, and peacemaking among our teens.

Do we model empathy over understanding in our family?

Do we model compassion over competition in our family?

Do we model forgiveness over judgement in our family?

Does our family go out of its way to help those who are outcast, oppressed, and/or marginalized or do we tend to spend our time with those who are "socially acceptable" and "like us"?

Is Jesus held up in our family as the model for how to relate to others?

If our child was being harassed or bullied, are their caring adults they would talk to about it?

If another child was being harrassed or bullied, would our child defend and/or protect them? If not, why not?

Is our child more concerned with "fitting in" than discovering their unique God-given identity?

Where does our child go to seek approval and encouragement? Why there?

Later this week, we'll conclude these musings with an ancient prayer that will be a balm to our concerned lives as well as a challenge and encouragement to the lives of our children.

May grace and peace guide our words and steps.