Next, talk to your child about how to handle future confrontations with the bully. Tell him or her that getting angry won't solve the problem because it gives the bully exactly what he or she wants. Walking away and ignoring the bully will give the message that the child doesn't care, and sooner or later he or she will find someone else to bother. If the bully is physically harming your child, he or she should inform a teacher or find a group of friends to provide comfort and support.
If the situation seems serious, you should work with the school to establish a plan to protect your child from future bullying incidents. You should not confront the parents of the child who bullies. Finally, encourage your child to continue talking with you about all bullying incidents.
How can I prevent my child from being bullied?
Bullies often target socially awkward children, so you should
encourage your child to develop more friendships. Suggest your
child join social organizations, clubs or teams. Being in a
group can sometimes keep a child from being victimized. Keeping
money or expensive toys at home can help your child avoid
becoming a target, because bullies often want things that other
kids have and will use force to take them. You can also work
with your child's school to establish bullying prevention
programs and policies.
What can I do to help if my child is a bully?
If you learn that your child is a bully, try to stay calm.
Have your child tell you exactly what he or she has been doing.
Ask why he or she bullies and what might help him or her to
stop. Bullying often stems from unhappiness or insecurity, so
try to find out if something is wrong. Also, try to control
your aggression and the behavior of your other children.
If an older brother or sister behaves aggressively inside the home, it's likely to damage the other child's self-esteem and make him or her more likely to do the same thing. Help your child to find nonviolent ways of reacting to certain situations and always praise him or her for good behavior. You might also find it helpful to talk to a professional who can help your child change his or her behavior.
About this article: This information was provided by East Tennessee Children's Hospital, a private, independent, not-for-profit pediatric medical center which has served the East Tennessee region for over 60 years and is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.
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