Your child tells you he is being bullied at school.
Do you:
A. Advise him to ignore it?
B. Ask what he did to provoke it?
C. Tell him to hit back?
D. None of the above.
The correct answer is D.
Children who are being bullied need their parents' support, says Brian Bailey, violence prevention supervisor at Youth Eastside Services. Start by acknowledging the courage it took for your child to tell you about the problem, he says.
Make no mistake, bullying is a problem.
Fear of being bullied causes thousands of children annually to miss school, and the stress can affect their academic performance and physical and mental health, not to mention leave lasting emotional scars.
Research shows that adults who were bullied as children are more likely to suffer from depression and low self-esteem.
Unchecked bullying also carries consequences for perpetrators, who are more likely to drop out, get into fights, use cigarettes and alcohol and have criminal problems.
Bailey offers the following tips.
If your child is being bullied:
* Tell her the bullying isn't her fault.
* Suggest your child walk with a friend.
* Role-play simple, calm responses: "Cut it out" or "You're right," and walk away.
* Don't tell your child to ignore the bullying or hit back, both of which could intensify the situation.
* Tell the teacher or principal about the bullying and encourage your child to do the same.
* Build your child's confidence by helping him make new friends and explore talents and interests in and out of school.
If your child is doing the bullying:
* Talk to him about his behavior and its effects on others.
* Be prepared to carry out clear, nonviolent consequences for future bullying.
* Work with school staff on changing your child's behavior.[[In-content Ad]]
