Bullying is when one child picks on another child repeatedly. Usually children being bullied are either weaker or shyer and generally feel helpless. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or social. It can happen at school, on the playground, on the school bus, in the neighborhood, or over the Internet.
When your child is bullied:
Help your child learn how to respond by teaching your child how to:
1. Look the bully in the eye.
2. Stand tall and stay calm in a difficult situation.
3. Walk away.
Teach your child how to say in a firm voice.
1. "I don't like what you're doing."
2. Please do NOT talk to me like that.
3. " Why would you say that?"
Teach your child when and how to ask for help.
Encourage your child to make friends with other children.
Support activities that interest your child.
Alert school officials to the problem and work with them on solutions.
Make sure an adult who knows about the bullying can watch out for your child's safety and well-being when you're not there.
When your child is the bully
Be sure your child knows that bullying is never OK.
Set firm and consistent limits on your child's aggressive behavior.
Be a positive role model. Show children they can get what they want without teasing, threatening, or hurting.
Use effective, non-physical discipline, such as loss of privileges.
Develop practical solutions with the school principal, teachers, counselors and parents of the children you bullied.
When your child is a bystander
Tell your child not to cheer on or even quietly watch bullying.
Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult about the bullying.
Help your child support other children who may be bullied. Encourage your child to include these children in his or her group of friends.
Encourage your child to join with others in telling bullies to stop.
-2005- American Academy of Pediatrics