Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Logo Title

Bullying

Children should be able to live a life free from bullying and harassment and it is time that we all took a stand against this. - Katherine Jenkins

WHAT IS BULLYING?

The idea that bullying is the big, physically intimidating kid on the playground isn't necessarily accurate. Sure, that can be the case, but bullying comes in many forms, shapes, and sizes. It is no longer just physical harm, but in this technology age bullying often comes from faceless, nameless people on social media. It is easier to taunt, harass and hurt someone from a distance, and it is easier to get away with it.

Check out the National bullying Prevention Center for more in-depth information about bullying and how to end it.

 

________________________________________________________________

BEING BULLIED - JAN ALLISON

Sometimes we all say things we don’t mean

Private thoughts to be kept inside that should never be seen

Then others join to be part of the scene

They use nasty words that are meant to demean

Scared to speak for fear of ridicule

How can others be so cruel

They join in because they think its fun

Not knowing the harm they do to anyone

Social media can be fun

But to those being bullied the damage is done

‘Do it, do it, just go away’

These are the words the bullies may say

Until one day the victim they may crack

Those poisoned words can’t be taken back

Till one day they can take no more

And are found lifeless on the bedroom floor

And then those who mock and those who scorn

Turn up at the funeral of those who they now mourn

So think before another word you say

Because the bullied may not be able to face another day

 

_______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

HERE ARE 10 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP YOUR CHILD OVERCOME BULLYING.

1. CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOUR TWEEN OR TEEN FEELS SAFE TALKING TO YOU.

Make sure your teen or tween feels comfortable sharing with you. Avoid having an emotional reaction and don’t shame your child for being bullied. Instead, ask questions in a calm manner gathering as many details as you can. Applaud your tween or teen’s courage in telling you about the incident. This not only encourages future disclosures, but also helps build a stronger relationship between the two of you.

2. MAKE A COMMITMENT TO HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

It’s always a good idea to ask for your child’s opinion before you go straight to teachers or administrators. Sometimes a tween or teen will be afraid of retaliation and you need to be sensitive to this concern when addressing the issue. If there is a fear of retaliation, you will need to be discreet in talking with school authorities and be sure they will do the same. Make sure they will not put your child at risk by calling both kids into the office at the same time or asking them to sit down with the guidance counselor together.

3. DISCUSS THE BULLYING INCIDENTS IN DETAIL WITH SCHOOL PERSONNEL.

Be sure to bring notes about when and where the bullying took place. The more concrete documentation you can provide, the better. Also ask them to share the school’s bullying policy and stress that you want to partner with the school to see that the issue is resolved.

4. EMPHASIZE THAT YOUR GOAL IS TO SEE THAT YOUR CHILD FEELS SAFE AT SCHOOL.

Ask the principal and guidance counselor how this will be accomplished. For example, what other adults, like duty aids, physical education teachers, bus drivers, hallway monitors and cafeteria staff, will be notified to be on alert? Can your child have a new class schedule or a new locker assignment? In other words, what steps can the school take to ensure your child’s safety? It’s very hard for a child to heal, if the school environment feels threatening or hostile. Even if the bullying has stopped, being around the bully may still cause your tween or teen anxiety.

5. CONSIDER OUTSIDE COUNSELING.

Bullying can affect your child in a number of ways and regaining self-confidence is a process that may require outside intervention. A counselor also can assess your tween or teen for depression and thoughts of suicide. Even if you suspect your child is fine, never underestimate the power of bullying. Kids have taken drastic measures to escape the pain it causes including committing suicide without ever admitting the hurt they were feeling.

6. ENCOURAGE YOUR TWEEN OR TEEN TO STICK WITH A FRIEND AT SCHOOL.

7. TEACH YOUR TWEEN OR TEEN SKILLS FOR OVERCOMING THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF BULLYING.

One way to do this is to emphasize your child’s strengths, skills, talents and positive attributes. Then, help your child find activities and events that help build on those strengths. Some parents have found that Tae Kwon Door a self-defense class helps kids develop self-confidence.

8. KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN WITH YOUR CHILD.

Be deliberate in asking about your tween or teen’s day and acknowledge any negative feelings or emotions. Watch for signs that your child is being bullied again – either by the same person or a new person. For non-bullying incidents, you also may want to brainstorm strategies for dealing with difficult peer situations. If your child is getting outside counseling, the counselor can give you additional strategies on actively listening and communicating with your child as well.

9. FOSTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIALIZING WITH FRIENDS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

Encourage your tween or teen to invite friends over, to the movies or other fun activity. By doing so, you are helping your child develop a strong support system. If your child needs help finding friends look for opportunities within your child’s circle of interests. Keep in mind kids who have friends are less likely to be targeted by bullies. And if they are targeted, having friends helps ease the negative affects.

10. FOLLOW UP WITH THE SCHOOL TO ENSURE THAT THE BULLYING HAS BEEN RESOLVED.

If the bullying hasn’t been resolved, or if the school is not taking the situation seriously, you may want to consider removing your child from the situation. Is the bullying serious enough that you can involve law enforcement? Can your tween or teen attend another school? Are there options for online learning programs that are done at home? It’s important that your tween or teen feels like they have options. Feeling like there are no options or that the bullying must be tolerated, leads to feelings of hopeless, depression and even suicide.

IS YOUR CHILD BEING BULLIED? 9 STEPS YOU CAN TAKE AS A PARENT