March 10, 2015

The True Impact of Peer Abuse Part III

Internationally acclaimed children's book author Anita Telle is uniquely informed as an activist for anti-bullying. Her son Branden, who suffered from a cleft palette, was subject to debilitating bullying because he was 'different', inspiring Anita to first write children's books with inspiring messages of love and acceptance. With bullying activities on the rise, and starting at an earlier age, Anita has now focused her attention on this topic, hoping to spread her common-sense approach and help stop this bullying epidemic.

Anita has just released the digital version of her book "The Ultimate Anti-Bullying Solutions Guide: The Surefire Way to STOP Bullying NOW!” She states that the pursuit of perfection breeds intolerance and creates fear of what is ‘different’, stimulating bullying behavior. Bullying peaks at a time in a child’s life when they are transitioning from child to adult, and they will model the behavior of adults. If intolerance is the norm, and diversity is not supported at home, children will act out those beliefs on their peers.
Anita cuts through the shame and blame approach of bullying, recognizing this behavior starts very early in childhood and, at its root, stems from a lack of self-esteem. Victims also often lack the personal presence and self-knowledge that would help them diffuse any situation and prepare them for more challenging events as they grow into adults. She offers specific information to help parents recognize if their child is being bullies, or may be a bully and how to change both the bully and victim mentality and behaviors.

Episode Segments:

Healing Conversations: Peer Abuse with Anita Telle Anita Telle has a mission: To teach acceptance and love to children ages 4 – 9 so they will grow up to be amazing, supportive and loving teenagers, immune to peer pressure and bullying. Anita Telle also has a story to tell. And it’s an important story; one that touches everyone, everywhere, from every culture. But it is especially important for children: Being different IS normal. We are all different, in different ways. Her recent book “The Ultimate Anti-Bullying Solutions Guide: The Sure fire way to STOP Bullying NOW!” crystallizes her mission and her story into a handbook for people who want to be part of the solution.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Anita Telle Anita grew up in an idyllic suburb of Bergen Norway where she was very competitive in sports during high school and won several medals. After high school Anita studied business and worked for Statoil and NPC in Norway. She also started modeling, and her desire to travel “took a hold of her,” so she decided to travel to the USA to become fluent in English and further her modeling career. Anita was very lucky to be introduced to a wonderful model (Karen Lott) who was a role model and a teacher for Anita, always encouraging her to believe in herself. Together with 3 partners, Anita started Salon Technology, a distribution company in the beauty industry. Anita was part of growing this company to a $20M company, with 110 employees and 10 stores. After selling Salon Technology in 2003, Anita retired and became mom to a beautiful little boy named Branden. Going from full time corporate executive (COO) to full time MOM, Anita got the experience of a lifetime! Anita is one of the co-founders of Santa Cruz Children’s Charities (SCCC), dedicated to improving the lives of children locally and globally. Spearheading, and, with the help of a few friends, personally funding a program to gift needy children shoes at Christmas from 2003 through 2007, Anita brought the idea to SCCC, who now supports this effort, annually donating more than $3000 to buy shoes for CASA children. As a very involved mom, Anita realized just how much she loves children and created the first ever “feel good” Gnomy’s Boo-Boo Bears for children with a unique story for each Boo-Boo-Bear. The Boo-Boo-Bears are created by “Gnomy” a good-hearted, mystical little creature living under a magical Redwood tree. This soft sculpted bear is used as a soothing hot or cold compress, and she donates 20% of the profit from the sale of the bears to Operation Smile. Anita is furthering her love for children and is now focusing on anti-bullying because her son Branden was born with a cleft pallet/lip and was bullied for being different. As a mom, she asked herself what she could do to make a change in her son’s life. Anita decided to start writing children’s books with a “message of acceptance”. In 2009, Ms. Telle founded Asti Life, a company that develops and distributes natural skincare products known as: “miracle in a bottle” products for skin disorders. In 2012, Anita earned an Entrepreneur Award from the JT Foxx organization. Learn More About Anita