Bullying in this country has been out of control for years. For many children it is an everyday occurrence. So who are these bullies and how did they learn to behave this way? Many bullies are just insecure children trying to fit in at school while others are just plain mean with no compassion for others. How do you keep your child from being the kid who other kids fear?
Teach Your Child Compassion
Children learn by example. If you make fun of people who are different, your child will learn to do the same. Encourage your child to be friends with children who are viewed as different and teach her that every person has value. Take her with you to volunteer with organizations that help the homeless, or spend a day volunteering at the Special Olympics. Showing your child from a young age that treating people with respect is important, will help her to become a compassionate, caring teenager and adult who hopefully leads the way for her peers.
Love Your Child Unconditionally
Teach your own child to value himself. Children with low self-esteem often pick on other children in an attempt to make themselves look better to other children and feel better about themselves. If your child truly likes who he is (faults and all), he will be less likely to find “faults” in others. Don’t point out your child’s mistakes or weaknesses as negatives, but rather a part of life and teach her to overcome them. Focus on her strengths.
Set Rules and Punishments
Children thrive on structure. Setting rules and sticking to them will teach your child that each action has a consequence. If she misbehaves, there will be punishments. Every decision she makes effects the people around her.
Watch Your Child’s Behavior with Others
If you notice your child bullying another child or making mean comments about a classmate, don’t ignore it. Talk to your child about her behavior and why it is not acceptable. Teach her to put herself in the other person’s shoes and ask her how she would feel. We spend so much time focusing on our child’s grades that we often overlook whether they have learned sympathy and empathy, two very important traits.