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Bully for you

We all know that bullying goes on in our lives, whether it be by a boss, a colleague or - even fellow school children - and, in the less-than-humble view of this chap, it is completely unacceptable.

I loathe bullies and it makes me wonder what they are missing in their lives when they have to try to make themselves feel better by being so revolting.

Now I make mention of school because that's where most of us think bullying takes place. But I've had a report that it is also occurring at kinders.

That's right, those dear sweet little three and four year olds are also having to deal with the nastiness of bullying.

The case in point comes after one concerned parent informed the parents of a lad about incidents where an older child was picking on their young one.

A quick trip down to the kinder brought some very disturbing news - kinder teachers are not allowed to break up such matters.

Well, when I say they are not allowed to, I mean they can ask the little brute to stop doing what they are doing - but official regulations mean that is all.

If the horrible bully says no, the teacher is not even allowed to guide them away from the victim. No touching, holding, moving - nothing.

Now I ask you, where the hell does this leave us? Here we have kids being monstered in the perceived safety of a kinder and the poor teachers can't do much - other than official touchy-feely-sooky-pinko chats with the child.

Of course, the parents of the pint-sized ogre should act on such matters - but if they don't where does that leave everybody?

These regulations are a sick joke and basically the pen pushers have dropped kindy teachers right into the poo and are reinforcing the bully's belief that what they are doing they can get away with.

Personally, there is only one way to deal with bullies and that is to sock them straight in the nose. If they no longer think of you as a soft target then they'll think twice about attacking you again.

Of course this may only transfer the problem on to another child and it is up to the brute's parents to discipline him as he should be disciplined - a rather hard smack on the bottom. If they don't, then I'm sure we can find people who are willing to.

If there is something that has really got up your nose, let Grumpy Old Coot know at grumpy@webwombat.com