SUMMERTIME!

You’ve heard the phrase “There’s no place like home.”  But for targets of sibling bullying-abuse, “home” in that sweet sense does not truly exist.  Sibling abuse survivors are typically “displaced” individuals, starting in childhood when they are displaced from home (or even in their own hearts/minds). 

You can read more on our website under Facts, Stats and Research to learn more about why this is, but the short version is that sibling abuse strives to erase identity.  Targeted kids can be told they don’t belong, were conceived by the mailman or dropped off by a stranger. 

Older siblings can tell younger siblings life was “better” before the younger sibling was born, or that once the younger sibling(s) came into the picture, everything was ruined.  Bullied siblings can feel displaced/rejected in their own homes. 

When a bullied sibling comes to school, they have “8 hours off” from the sibling abuse, but during the summer, the bullying-abuse is full on, constant, never-ending.  They are forced to endure or avoid (by isolating themselves, shrinking, withdrawing, or staying in a state of hyper-vigilance) weeks and weeks of instigation, harassment, and other provoking behaviors.

Pro Tip: 

Take time in the middle of the summer to send each student a handwritten card of encouragement this summer.  Tell them again how proud you are of them, and how happy you were to be their teacher.

You can tell your students how much you learned from them too, and how important they are to you.  You can include your phone number, email or the school’s phone number and address as a point of contact. 

Let your former students know how they can get in touch with you.  You may be a life-line in their life.  Don’t ever take that lightly.  It’s a tremendous privilege to play an integral role in the life of a child.

Superstar Teacher Time: 

Take time to go visit your students.  Make a house call.  Meet at a coffee shop or at the park.  Go for a walk together; find a time to connect with the parent and the child to catch up.  You never know when your extra effort will save a life or alter an otherwise bleek future.