Practical Advice for Parents About Bullying

Bullying is getting a lot of attention. There is so much information about bullying that it can be challenging for parents to sort through it and make sense of it all. I’d like to offer some insights and advice for parents about bullying.

I think it's important to understand the definition of bullying. Bullying is not teasing. Teasing is a normal part of growing up and all children experience it. Teasing becomes bullying when it's intentional, negative and it's repeated over time. It’s a relationship with an imbalance of power or strength between the parties involved. Bullying can take many forms. It can be physical, verbal, emotional or cyber.

How do you know if your child is being bullied? They might come home from school with torn or missing clothing or have unexplained cuts or bruises. They may have few if any friends and not want to go to school or they may suddenly begin to do poorly in school. Trouble with eating, sleeping, headaches, stomaches or other physical symptoms may arise and they may feel anxious.

There are things a parent can do to protect their child from becoming a victim of bullying.

Have frequent conversations with your children about their day and be interested in what they have to say. Encourage them to talk about school, friends, activities, and any problems they may have. This gives you an idea of what your child experiences day-to-day. Find opportunities to bring up the issue in a roundabout way. You might see a situation in a movie and ask "What do you think of this?" or "What do you think that person should have done?" This might lead to questions like: "Have you ever seen this happen?" or "Has this ever happened to you?"

Self-confidence helps protect children from becoming victims. Give them opportunities to build skills. Encourage them to develop their talents. Be involved in and support their activities.

Provide opportunities for your children to interact with peers and develop friendships. Help them become involved in group activities, such as sports, music, or the arts to improve their ability to make and keep friends.

Encourage children to talk to and seek guidance from trusted adults. Let them know that this is especially important if they feel uncomfortable, threatened, or harmed in any way.

 your kids know that it they’re being bullied – or see it happening to someone else – it’s important to talk to someone about it, whether it’s you or another adult – teacher, school counselor, or a family friend.

For more information on Pam Dyson and her services visit www.pamdyson.com