Bullying is something that most of us have had to deal with at some time in our lives. If you haven't, consider yourself one of the lucky few. Bullying is especially traumatic for a child or teenager because adolescence is often an awkward period in a person's life when self-esteem is low and the desire for peer approval is high.
Most schools have programs in place that provide students with the necessary skills for being a good friend to others and dealing with bullying behavior. In many schools the guidance counselor will come into the classroom and provide mini-lessons on making friends, developing self-esteem, recognizing bullying behavior and preventing or stopping that behavior. Some schools invite speakers to come and talk to the students about how to cope with bullying in their school.
But perhaps the best resource available to your child for learning how to cope with bullies is you, the parent. If you're looking for information on how to prevent or stop your child from being bullied, here are two web sites that are very informative.
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The first is www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov. Thisweb site has a link for kids as well as adults. The kids link provides information about why kids bully, the effects of bullying, identifying if you're a bully, what to do if you witness bullying, and what to do if you're being bullied. This link also includes webisodes that feature characters who bully others, witness bullying and are being bullied.
The adult link has numerous resources on a variety of topics related to bullying. It provides webcasts on the Stop Bullying Now! campaign as well as information about state laws and research studies on bullying. There is also a section dedicated solely to dealing with cyberbullying. The tip sheets link is a wonderful resource because it provides quick tips for parents on a wide variety of topics related to bullying.
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The second site is www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org. This site provides children with information about what bullying is and how to stop it. It includes real stories and poetry about bullying written by kids. Kids Against Bullying also has videos and webisodes about bullying. There is a link to a site for teenagers as well.
To learn more about how to prevent or stop your child from being bullied, check out these very informative sites.
