A guest post for International Stand Up to Bullying Day, by Neve Spicer of WeTheParents.org.

Grandmas are great teachers. They have the experience and the time to help in raising good kids. When it comes to potential bullying behavior, you want them to think about what they have done and eventually realize it makes them the bad guy, not the hero.

Today, November 20, is International Stand Up to Bullying Day. Make the day meaningful in your grandkid’s lives.

Here are three stories of people who gained fame in adulthood but suffered from bullying as kids. Using these stories as inspiration—and others here—grandmothers can impart wisdom to grandchildren to prevent them from becoming bullies or being bullied.

Elon Musk was born in South Africa. A small kid, he was bullied mercilessly in school, once beaten unconscious. His smaller than average size never got in the way of him becoming perhaps the world’s most famous and respected businessman in the race to conquer Space.

Kate Middleton looks like a lady who’s got it all together. As wife to the future king of England, she fits her future position well. When in school, though, Kate did not fit in well. She was younger, played the wrong sports, and just didn’t fit. She transferred to a school that more closely matched her needs and contributions, ending in a happy school experience. She wasn’t afraid to try another path.

President Barak Obama is possibly the last person one would think suffered bullying, but he was a victim as well. Bullies are very inventive. They can find something to bully every single time. In Obama’s case, his large ears and the odd name was enough. He wanted to be known as Barry while in school to better fit in. Once he matured in college, however, Barak Hussein Obama was proud of his name that would carry him far.

Take advantage of your grandma power. Talk with your grandchildren about bullying. Be straight. Let them know there is never an excuse to make someone else feel bad about themselves or stand by silently while some bully picks on kids.

Kids like to play pretend games; it’s one of their real gifts. Make up a little play on the spot. Maybe grandma can be the bully. Show them how bullies look for things to tease them about. Let them know that the thing a bully picks on isn’t even a real problem, just whatever thing the bullied kid reacts to is enough.

The one thing that bullies can’t stand is to be laughed at. They expect fear, tears, and trembling. If a child laughs in their face, it will go a long way toward stopping the bullying behavior. Bullies can’t stand to be laughed at.

Let your grandkids know that it is essential to tell adults about the behavior. Informing parents and letting the parents talk to school officials is safer for the child and will get the school to take the problem more seriously.

Empower your grandchildren this Stand Up to Bullying Day — and every day.

• Neve Spicer is a veteran preschool teacher and a child development research nerd. When she’s not testing the limits of parental sleep deprivation, she can be found putting pen to paper (figuratively speaking) on her blog.