Guest Post: Author Dr. Mildred D. Peyton on Bullying Others

Today I am welcoming as well as thanking Author Dr. Mildred D. Peyton for being our guest speaker to tell us about Bullying. I will be reviewing her two books on this topic soon. I know that this is kind of a hot subject to some and I really fill that author Dr. Mildred D. Peyton has a wonderful way of dealing with and talking with your kids concerning this. 

So lets see what or how tells us her thoughts on this subject.

My Child Is Bullying Others

It could be difficult to accept or view your child as a bully. Rather than becoming upset or defensive, patiently listen to what the teacher, principal, or the other parent is saying. Hear them out and see how you could work together to cease the problem. Remember, even though no parent wants to be told that their child is a bully, putting yourself in the other parents' shoes will relieve you from tension. After talking with school personnel or the other parent(s), ask yourself if there are life or family events that happened which may have left your child feeling upset, hopeless, or even worried. It is typical for children who are undergoing stress to take out their frustration on their peers. And most times, it's by bullying others. 

Once you've listened to the feedback or if you notice a change in your child's behavior, you should consider talking with your child to understand the root of the problem better. Having open communication is always important to establish a healthy relationship with your child.

Here are some signs your child is bullying others:

Your child is likely causing emotional or physical harm to his or her peers if they are getting into physical and verbal fights. Sometimes their friends are bullying others as well. They become increasingly aggressive; they get sent to the principal's office/detention frequently; they have unexplained money or new belongings, and when asked they offer different answers or answers that don't make any sense. Other characteristics of a child who is bullying others include blaming others for their problems; don't accept responsibility for their actions; he/she is competitive and worry about popularity and their reputation.

When you're faced with such challenges, it is best to work with the school or other professionals to help your child develop better social skills. Always remember to put yourself in the other parents' shoes because your child may be a bully, but somewhere down the line they too could be victimized.

About the Author

Dr. Mildred Peyton is a native of West Africa, Sierra Leone. She resides in Maryland with her husband and two daughters. She earned her doctorate (Doctor of Philosophy [Ph.D.]) in Human and Social Services, with a concentration in Social Policy Analysis & Planning from Walden University, in August 2015. Dr. Peyton worked at the Department of Health and Human Services for Montgomery County Government for twelve years, where she provided public assistance to residents of Montgomery County, under the Children, Youth, and Family Services (CYFS) Division. Now, inspired by her doctoral research ("Exploring the Meaning of School Bullying Among Parents of Victimized Children'') findings on school bullying, Dr. Peyton has turned her attention to the issue of bullying, which is prevalent in today's society. Hoping to help eliminate this problem, Dr. Peyton wrote and published her very first children's book entitled, "A Bully on the School Bus" in September 2015, and Montgomery County Public School System (MCPS) approved it for school library purchases in November 2015. And in February 2017, she published her second book on school bullying, entitled, "Sophia Writes to Her Bully." Dr. Peyton takes great pride in her recent works on the topic of school bullying and wishes that all children will one day be free from this problem. Dr. Peyton wants to be a source of inspiration for children who are victims of bullying, as well as their parents. Currently, Dr. Peyton has a consulting firm (Peyton Consulting, LLC) where she provides services such as presentations, workshops, training, reading sessions, motivational speeches, and community events primarily focused on school bullying.

Regarding Dr. Peyton's background and training, she graduated with her bachelor's degree in Sociology and Social work in 2003 from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Salisbury University and obtained her master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University in 2009. Shortly after she worked with children as a summer camp director and as a director of an after-school program in Rockville, Maryland, before joining Montgomery County Government.


"My dream was to become a child psychologist (with some interest in fashion design) and, even though I did not fulfill those dreams, I've always had a deep desire to be an advocate for children in whatever way I see fit. I'm a firm believer that children are the world's future leaders, so it is import