Okay, I admit this is blatant plugging of my material. However, there is a slight sceptical edge to the piece I have written for the Coventry Telegraph blog. I wrote the piece in response to the way most people approach the issue of children going back to school or their first year at secondary school. This is where all the anxiety starts regarding bullying. The trouble is that most articles are directed towards the first day when I have discovered that most bullying progresses over a period of time, and the worst stuff occurs once children are "settled in". In other words once the "honeymoon period" is over and everything appears to be okay. This is why I believe attitude is, above all, the key skill in self-defence training, even above awareness:

http://cv5.coventrytelegraph.net/2008/08/after-the-first-day-an.html

With one daughter getting closer to nursery age information of this kind, high standard no BS is critical to me.

Thanks Jamie

Den.

Good article Jamie...

I'd totally agree with your stance on character building and confidence.

Bullies only prey on people who they see are easy targets, and lack self confidence. A confident child, achieved through whatever means, will pretty much be a "non-target" for the bullies.

Thanks guys. You may know by now that I am very anti-quick-fix. These solutions have to be acheived through attitude.

Yep - mindset is where it's at. I've got a good insight into bullying, as I had shedloads of it when I was in school.

Bottom line is, if you look like food you'll be eaten.