Bullying can happen anywhere and to anyone, it’s been an issue for decades and rather than wonder why kids get bullied, it’s better to find out how to handle these difficult situations, and what to do as a family to resolve it.
Parents as well a children should know their school’s and district’s anti-bullying policies, says Boston Latin School teacher Blake Barich who has been teaching kids for 13 years.
“[Parents and children] need to know how their school defines bullying, what [children] may think is joking, may be considered bullying,” she says.
Keep communication open in your household, says Ed Ott, school counselor at Jehue Middle School in the Rialto Unified School District for 15 years, “encourage [children] early on to always feel safe to come to you if something is bothering them, particularly in school,” he says.
Both Barich and Ott say, do no be surprised if your child does not feel comfortable talking to you about being bullied, instead reassure them there is always someone they can turn to, and talk to, if they feel they’re being harassed.
When a child is being bullied, parents, “need to prepare for resistance from their child,” says Ott, “oftentimes kids don't want to take any action against the other child for fear of consequences, or more intense bullying. But once the school is aware, they can intervene,” he says.
Parents should remind their children what can happen if they bully other kids “read newspaper articles about recent cases of extreme bullying with your child and discuss the choices the parties involved made,” says Barich.
Parents should remind their bullied child that this is not about them, but about the bully, and his or her own issues, Ott says. It is important to allow your child be angry and give them the freedom to express and let go of any anxiety associated with being bullied.
Ott also mentions it's important to let kids know how much you, the parent, appreciates their courage in telling you, because it takes strength for a kid to ask for help in these situations.
Anti-bullying sites:
http://www.stopbullying.gov/
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/bullying/
http://www.standforthesilent.org/
Tips for Kids:
-Find the courage within you to let an adult know you're being bullied
-If a friend confides in you that he or she is being bullied, let them know you're glad they shared with you and then encourage them to tell an adult
-If you see your friend being bullied, tell someone.
Author Profile: Jasmine Duarte @JasmineDuarte
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