Bullying Prevention Tips for Parents

A release from Stoneham Safety Officer Joseph Ponzo:

Bullying comes in three general types - Physical bullying; verbal bullying and exclusion from
activities. Physical bullying consists of hitting, kicking, pushing, choking and punching. Verbal
bullying is threatening, taunting, teasing, starting rumors, hate speech and exclusion from
activities is when a child systematically excludes others; “No one play with Jane,” “No one wants
to play with him;” “Don’t be her friend.” Now that we can understand what the different types of
bullying are, I can explain how to detect a bully and how to detect someone being bullied.

Kids who are bullied are more likely to do poorly in school, have low self-esteem, be depressed
and turn to violent behavior to protect them or get revenge on their bullies. Kids who bully others
are more likely to do poorly in school, smoke and drink alcohol and commit crimes in the future.

When your child is bullied they are embarrassed to be bullied and may not tell their parents or
another adult right away. If your child comes to you and asks for help with a bully, TAKE IT
SERIOUSLY! Many times if kids aren’t taken seriously the first time they ask for help, they don’t
ask again! Here are some warning signs that kids who are bullied, often experience. Withdrawal;
loss of friends; drop in grades; a loss of interest in activities he or she previously enjoyed; torn
and tattered clothing; bruises and abrasions and a need for extra money or supplies.

Parents can praise their child/children for reporting bullying situations to you and assure your
child that you will take action. Talk to their teacher/principal/guidance counselor. Don’t confront
the parents of the bully directly. Ask your child specific questions about how your child is treated
by peers, who he or she eats lunch with and how other children are treated. Teach your child to
identify bullying behaviors. If your child sees someone else being bullied, he or she can help the
victim walk away, invite the victim over to play or eat lunch, tell the bully to stop picking on
someone, or tell an adult. Tell your child that you do not tolerate bullying behavior. If you learn
that your child has been bullying others, work with your child’s teacher, counselor, or other
caregiver to end the bullying. Be a positive role model. Avoid using threats or aggression when
disciplining your child or when interacting with other adults.

Your child may be a bully if, he or she values aggression, likes to be in charge, is an arrogant
winner and a sore loser and often fights. When your child is a bully it’s hard for any parent to
believe that their child is a bully, but just because your child bullies someone doesn’t mean that
he or she will be a bully forever. Parents are one of the best resources to help their child stop
bullying and start interacting positively with peers. Help build empathy for others and talk to your
child about how it feels to be bullied. Talk to your child to find out why he or she is bullying.
Often, children bully when they feel sad, angry, lonely, or insecure and many times major
changes at home or school may bring on these feeling.

KINDNESS IS CONTAGIOUS, CATCH IT!

Remember Safety First!