Inviting the Bully to Tea

During our children’s early years, bullying seemed like an occupational hazard: a serious problem for the youngest children in the schoolyard.... Being young, small and inexperienced went a long way to assisting the bully in his game of terror........Could a tea party, scheduled monthly, bi-monthly be the ticket to paradise ? Could this unorthodox venture into the world of small tables, tablecloths, china cups and saucers, centerpieces, flowers, serving tea, juice, desserts help to bridge the chasm that separates our children like an insidious virus within the school environment? Is this a ridiculous notion? I hope not. It is a simple way of looking at a growing menace that gets worse with the passage of time. Bullying has to stop. It is not a part of growing up. It interferes with it and in some cases, life itself.

Starting small and progressing to a more formalized format could be a great communications coup for schools. It could become a platform that helps to underscore the prevalence of these acts of terrorism. The menu: teas known for health benefits such as green, white, rooibos could be introduced and facts about each given to guests. (EVERY TEA PARTY CAN BE A LESSON/LEARNING EXPERIENCE,TOO) Freshly squeezed juices made fresh by students when needed. (School would own the juicer, of course)........ Desserts: tarts,  cookies, scones, tea biscuits, squares, perhaps pies or a braided bread or two made by the Special Ed., Primary Division could be available on a rotating 6 week cycle for avoid monotony and create interest. Teachers and students alike would decide who, where, when. In the beginning, a well thought out plan involving the principal, teachers, students/and or parent volunteers would ensure the success of the tea party social. Anything that helps to reduce or eliminate bullying in school would have a positive domino effect on classroom behaviour, scholastic achievement and other noteworthy events...  The success of the tea party could ultimately result in each class having its own. It can be done.

Sometimes, our modern life seems to get in the way of time honoured traditions such as having a cup of tea. Everything we do seems to end up on the back of Styrofoam cups, plates, containers-to-go.  Our fast paced lifestyle needs to slow down when it comes to our children, especially. We need to listen while our children talk... Anything in life is possible. Keeping things simple is the desired goal, thereby, increasing the chances of success. Conversation at each table could be anything the guests deem important that day. A selection of topics-on cards- chosen randomly and selected by organizers from entries left in a suggestion box in the office could help initiate stalled conversation. A moderator at each table, of any age, would keep ‘things moving’.  Invitations would be ‘mailed’ to classrooms chosen for the following week... Meeting in a non-confrontational arena-having tea-can do wonders for self-esteem and empowerment. Music selected from all genres including Lady GaGa to Glenn Miller, Bryan Adams and Beethoven while having tea and talking could be an incredible addition to the arsenal of coping strategies to help children.  What a concept!