Unfortunately bullies are common in the lives of many children. I know that my own son has been bullied. Bullies use fear and often a larger size to get away with tormenting others. Bullying can be physical like kicking and tripping or more emotional like gossiping and exclusion. Children who are bullies have little empathy and enjoy dominating others. They have a positive attitude toward aggression and are often impulsive. A bully can be a boy or a girl, although their methods usually differ.
Bullies usually pick on those that can’t or won’t protect themselves. So here are some ways that you can help protect your child from being bullied and if they are bullied give them the courage to report it.
Make friends. If you child has good friends that they can be with they are less likely to be bullies. Bullies tend to shy away from groups and prefer one on one when bullying. If your child has a hard time making friends get your child involved in an activity where they will meet kids with similar interests. My son used to hang out with his friend Jag, for protection, because the bullies would leave him alone when he was with his friend.
Build social skills. Teach your child how to get along with others. Help them learn to laugh at themselves. If your child makes a mistake and laughs at him or herself then a bully can’t turn it around on them.
Build self-esteem. Children who are self-confident are less likely to be bullied. They believe in themselves and are not afraid to stand up for themselves either. The Boys and Girls Town says, “Some victims actually believe they deserve to be attacked because of a self-perceived flaw in how they look, the way they talk, how they dress or any number of reasons. They start acting like victims.” Help your child see their strengths. Encourage positive self-talk.
If your child reports that someone is bullying them take it seriously. The sooner an adult intervenes the more likely the bullying behavior will stop. Talk to your child’s principal and teachers to get help with the issue.
See these related blogs for more information:
Sticking Up For Your Kids: A Stand Against Bullying
Schools Continue to Fight Bullying