Child – Why does a kid like James do that?
Parent – Do what?
Child – Put other kids down. You know – bully kids.
Parent – Why do you think he does it?
Child – I don’t know. That’s why I asked you.
Parent – Well, let’s figure it out together, because you know him and I don’t.
Child – What do you want to know about him?
Parent – Well, what’s he like? Does he have friends? What’s he good at? What’s it like to be around him?
Child – Wow! Dad! One question at a time.
Parent – Ok. You choose.
Child – Does he have friends? I don’t know. Probably more like followers than friends. Don’t think he got invited to many birthday parties.
Parent – That’s an interesting observation. Tell me more.
Child – Well, he’s not exactly a genius in school.
Parent – You mean he’s not a very good student?
Child – That’s what I said. He’s no genius.
Parent – And what’s he like?
Child – I don’t know. I just avoid him. There’s nothing to like about him.
Parent – Would you say he’s popular?
Child – Guess it depends on whom you ask. I think some kids suck up to him just so he won’t pick on them.
Parent – That’s interesting. What is he good at?
Child – Well, he’s bigger than most kids, so he gets picked first when we’re choosing teams on the playground.
Parent – So you pick him?
Child – Heck no! I’d rather lose.
Parent – I know you don’t like to lose, so you must really not like him.
Child – You’re a genius Dad.
Parent – So, got any idea why James bullies others?
Child – In school, he’s down and others are up. But on the playground, he puts others down so he is up.
Parent – Ah, interesting. The “I’m up because you’re down theory”.
Child – What do you think?
Parent – I think you are on to something.
