How to keep your kid from becoming a bully

We all remember adolescence, too often a time of misery for young people. In Why Good Kids Act Cruel, Carl E. Pickhardt offers insight into the cold-blooded world of bullying. His tips to fight it:

Act as a family. Family activities remind your child of the lasting importance of family over the fleeting value of peers.

Get children involved. Encourage kids to volunteer in the community. It teaches them to consider the well-being of others.

Give kids chores. The key here is unpaid household chores. When children invest time in home maintenance and support, they become a contributing member of the family and understand that chores are done for the betterment of the family unit, not for economic gain.

Welcome role models. Spending time with significant adults other than their parents gives young people the opportunity to make mature, influential friends. That can give them a more positive role model than peers can provide.