American Girl Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends Book Review

I recently bought Stand Up for Yourself & Your Friends  by Patti Kelley Criswell for my 7-year-old.  She has been complaining about a few children who bully her.  We started reading the book together and discussing ways to deal with bullies.  There is a quiz on page 24 called What's Your Speak-Up Style?  Your daughter will learn her style and tips on how to best deal with bullies.

One tip I have learned is for me to listen to her and let her brainstorm and decide the best approach.  

My daughter actually got out some paper and began to taking notes.  She asked me if she could take her list with her to school and keep it in her backpack.  She wanted to keep the list as a reminder. 

At the back of the book, your daughter can cut out a promise and hang it on her mirror (or anywhere she will see often).  She will write her name to a list of promises that she will stand up to bullies and not to bully others.

Parents also have a tear out section called 10 Big Truths about Bullying for Parents.

As you know, bullying is a very tough and heartbreaking ordeal.  It is good to continually review this book and build up our girls into kind and strong women. 

Thank you for stopping by ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

How to Organize an Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

I googled ideas for a scavenger hunt and tweaked the list for my Daisy Girl Scout troop.  The girls will look for the items at an elementary school's playground. 

Here is a simple list of 15 items that young children can easily find on their own. 

I copied the list below for you.

As always, thank you for stopping ViBella Inspirations!

Cheri

  Scavenger Hunt

 

List of Things to Find 1.      Look for something soft. 2.      Find a plant with leaves. 3.      Find something put here by people. 4.      Find something cold. 5.      Find something tall. 6.      Find something short. 7.      Look for something with cracks. 8.      Find something that floats. 9.      Find something that smells good. 10.  Find something pointy. 11.  Find something brown. 12.  Find something green. 13.  Find something hard. 14.  Find something slippery. 15.  Find something with stripes.

How to Deal with Mean Girls

I'm currently reading Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully Proof Girls in the Early Grades by Dr. Michelle Anthony and Dr. Renya Lindert.  I've been highlighting and dogearing this enlightening and practical book.

One coping skill that leaps out is talking with your daughter about the problem but not solving the problem for her.  For instance, when she complains about someone, you just repeat back what she says and sympathize and let her figure out some solutions.  Be her sounding board and let her brainstorm some ideas.

If you try to always solve her problems, you are not building a strong and self-sufficient girl.  When she brainstorms and figures out solutions, she is on her way to becoming confident and powerful.

More tips to come...

Cheri