Classroom teachers have everything to do with stopping bullying. There. I said it. The teachers who are making a difference in the movement to stop bullying are engaged role models of kindness and expert masters of diplomacy.

It is important to distinguish between rude, mean and bullying so that teachers, school administrators, police, youth workers, parents and kids all know what to pay attention to and when to intervene.

"We knew who beat him up. We knew who locked him in a cupboard. We knew who had held his head under water in a sink. So why hadn't we told anyone?"

October is also now recognized as National Bullying Prevention Month. On the one hand, I'm thrilled that we are giving this critical issue such focused attention. But on the other hand, I am deeply saddened that bullying in our nation has reached such epidemic proportions.

Here are five "Stop and Think" rules I offer to parents as they are first teaching their kids about netiquette.

In these early days of August and September classes, would-be bullies are getting a feel for who they think might be an easy mark in the class.

My daughters like to talk. It's when they are not talking that I know something is up -- which is how I detected my girl was a bit apprehensive about her first day of kindergarten.

The media's recent focus on bullying has given untold numbers of victims -- past and present -- a voice to share their experiences, now that they finally realize that they are not alone.

Kids need to suffer. At least a little. That's how innocent and vulnerable children evolve into durable, resilient adults.

No family should find themselves all alone when navigating the dangerous and destructive waters of bullying in school.

When kids understand what a healthy friendship should look and feel like, they are best equipped to extricate themselves from friendships that are toxic and damaging.

When a parent can keep the child focused on the self-destructive pattern of manipulating reality to suit personal desires, rather than getting distracted by the infuriating behavior and persistent rationalizations, both parent and child benefit.

Turns out that while sticks and stones can break your bones, words, too, can really hurt you. In honor of proving that out-of-date childhood adage incorrect, the week of Jan. 23-27 has been set aside as No Name-Calling Week in schools across the country.

It's one thing to work with other people's children and to role play for possible scenarios they may encounter. It's a much more nerve-racking ballgame to have the day come when your own child is smack dab in the middle of mean girl behavior.

Abstinence-only education creates a petri dish for bullying in schools. There is always a lot of back and forth about the efficacy of these programs,...

To be forewarned is to be forearmed; when parents know what to look for when it comes to methods of girl bullying, they are in the best position to help their daughters cope with it.