When bullying occurs, parents and schools take action and invoke discipline to end bullying. But what if there was a different path, a more effective way of handling things? What if we ask, “Why do kids bully?” then use the answer to discover and deal with the root cause? On this episode of the Mighty Parenting podcast we get a fresh perspective on preventing bullying. Hosts Judy Davis and Sandy Fowler interview Dr. Charlotte Reznick to understand why kids bully. They discuss what parents can do to work with schools and other parents to stop bullying as well as what to do if you see bullying behaviors in your own child. Parents often wonder why do kids bully, but today you learn to use the answer to protect and empower your child while creating a safer, kinder environment.
In Real Talk, Sandy and Judy dig into the frustration and disappointment parents often feel during summer vacation. They’ll discuss a simple method for creating a harmonious summer and preventing disappointment and attitude issues that can ruin your summer.
 
A Favorite Quote from the Show:
(Real Talk) The best way to nurture a relationship with your child as they get into their teen and adult years is to respect where they are different from you. If you don’t do that, you set yourself up for them to build their life away from you.
 
Our Guest:
Charlotte Reznick PhD is a foremost authority on how to engage with and develop mindfulness, meditation, and imagination for children and teens. She is author of the Los Angeles Times bestselling book, The Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How to Transform Stress and Anxiety into Joy and Success and contributing author of the chapter “Imagery as a Therapeutic Tool with Children" to Transformative Imagery: Cultivating Imagination for Healing, Change, and Growth.
Dr. Reznick is a child educational psychologist, a former UCLA Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology, and was named Imagery International’s Person of the Year in 2012 for the global impact of her work. Dr. Reznick has a 30-year meditation practice and is the creator of Imagery For Kids: Breakthrough for Learning, Creativity, and Empowerment, a mindful, positive coping skills program. In addition to her private practice in Los Angeles, California, she creates therapeutic meditation CDs for children, teens, and parents, blogs for Psychology Today and Huffington Post, is a frequent media consultant, and teaches workshops internationally on the healing power of child and adolescent imagination.
 
Tips & Info from our Sponsors:
From DASIUM:  Raising a teenager feels like a whole different world and can create a lot of worry or anxiety for parents. While we know you have many things to do, at the core of it you want to have a good relationship—one where they know you have their back and will listen. Focus on open communication, listening rather than telling or solving—and doing it without judgement.
If you are wondering whether behavior changes are normal or cause for concern, want a little help in dealing with stress or anxiety, or just need some tips for communicating with your teen, get our Parent Support Kit. It has what you need as you build an emotionally healthy life for your family.
More show notes on our podcast page