Problem: Article: Clarify how long the hiders will have to find a hiding spot before the seeker stops counting. Many games employ a rule of 50 seconds, while other people have opted for a shorter time span. Keep this amount of time in mind so you can plan for the perfect hiding spot. While it's fun to be ambitious, don't go for an impossible-to-reach hiding location. The longer it takes you to hide, the greater the chances are that the seeker will find you early on. When the seeker starts counting, don't pick a hiding place right away. Instead, hover in a far away corner and wait for the seeker to check a certain room. Since there's a good chance that they won't check the room for awhile, hide in that spot after the seeker leaves. Check and make sure that you're allowed to do this before the game starts. Some groups might have stricter rules than others! Try to avoid areas that are painted or filled with furniture that's a solid color. Unless you're playing in the dark, you won't be able to blend in very well to a couch or curtain that's bright red. Instead, look for multi-colored areas where you can try and blend into the background. Try and use decoys whenever possible. If there's a bedroom or couch in your hiding area, stuff a few pillows under a blanket and lay it on the surface. The seeker might get distracted and check under the blanket, which will buy you more time. Don't give yourself away by breathing heavily. As tempting and clever as it might originally seem to hold your breath, you might find yourself in trouble once your lungs need more air. Instead, imitate military breathing exercises and take low, slow breaths. If you're quiet, the seeker won't be able to detect you by sound! Practice this type of breathing throughout the day, even when you're not playing the game. This will help you gain expertise for future rounds of hide and seek! Avoid the temptation to hide on an especially high ledge, or to sneak into a clothes dryer. As creative as these ideas are, there's a big risk for injury and worse if you try and fit yourself in an unstable area. Before the round starts, clarify with the other players if there are any spots that are off-limits. If you aren't sure if you're allowed to hide in a certain area, then don't hide there at all. You can't master the game if you end up breaking the rules!
Summary: Determine how long the seeker is allowed to count for at the beginning of the round. Pick a hiding place after the seeker looks in a room. Look for areas that provide a lot of camouflage. Inhale in slow breaths so you're not overheard. Don't hide in any dangerous areas during the game.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: It can be something like "I need to leave now" or even something silly like "My monster needs me." It's about trying to keep the person bullying you off-balance. This often confuses the bully enough that he or she is less sure of how you will respond the next time the possibility of bullying arises. Bullying often follows a script, and you want to change it so the bully is off-balance. If you are a bystander and see someone being bullied, try to create a distraction or take the bully's attention off of what he's doing. You can also provide an interruption by telling the person being bullied like, "Hey, I really need to talk to you for a second" or "Mr. X wants to see you for a minute." If they follow you, or it happens again and you feel comfortable doing so, ask the person to stop. If the person refuses, detail the steps you will take to deal with the situation. For example, you can say something like, "Please stop calling me mean names. If you don't, I will report you to the principal." It's important not to give bullying an audience if you're a bystander. Attention will only encourage the bully. Don't laugh at or encourage bullying behavior. If it feels safe, you can even say something like, "That's really not funny" or "Take it easy." No matter how the person who is bullying you responds, staying calm will show them their efforts to upset you aren't working. Show that you are unaffected by their actions, even if you are inside. Write down as exactly as you can what they said and did and who was there. This can help when you talk to teachers or people in authority about the situation. Letting people in authority know will make it harder for the person who does the bullying to continue. You might not be the only one suffering, and it might be time for the school administration to take action against that person. It's important to have a record of complaint against the person doing the bullying in case it continues. If the verbal abuse has taken the form of sexist, racist, or homophobic slurs, you also might want to reach out to teachers involved in student groups trying to combat sexism, racism, and homophobia. Change your routes. Go with a crowd whenever you can. Bullies often avoid taking on someone with a group around them. If the bullying consists of any physical violence, go to the police immediately. Threats of violence should also be reported to the police, as they are illegal in many jurisdictions. Being the target of bullying is not your fault. No one should have to deal with bullying, social isolation, and shaming alone. Even if people who were your friends have gotten involved in the social bullying situation, look for new activities and new friends. Get yourself out of the toxic situation. If needed, speaking with a school counselor, joining a "beat-bullying" group, or seeing a therapist may also help with your emotional pain.
Summary:
Interrupt the bully. Walk away if you can. Stay calm. Document your interactions with the person who is bullying you. Tell the school. Make it harder for the bully to find and get to you. Go to the police. Reach out for support.