How to Deal With School Bullies

School should be a place of learning, where every student feels safe and secure but that isn't always the case. When bullies decide to harass other students, the emotional pain can prevent the victim from enjoying school. If the bullying is severe, the targeted student's grades and self esteem may suffer.

Instructions

1. Deal with bullying at the first sign of abuse. When a bully continues his behavior, it can become a habit. In addition, when the victim of a bully suffers over a long period of time, emotional damage can result.

2. Give your child some pointers to ignore the bully as a first strategy. Many bullies will tire of harassing a student if they get no response. Teach your child to walk away.

3. Notify the school about the bullying. School officials are responsible for maintaining a safe learning environment for every student. If you child is a victim of a repetitive bully, the school needs to step in and stop the harassment.

4. Speak with the parents of the bully. Be aware, however, that many bullies come from abusive homes where the parents could care less how their children behave. However, if the parents are receptive to taking a firm stance against their child bullying others, the activity may stop.

5. Contact law enforcement officials about bullying that crosses the line into stalking or physical harm. Both of those activities are against the law and you may press criminal charges.

6. Teach your child that his worth is not dependent upon the words of a bully. Invite other children over to play and arrange activities where your child interacts with others with similar interests.

7. Consider moving your child to another school or homeschooling if the bullying is out-of-hand and the school is not preventing it from occurring. Obviously, this is a last-resort type measure but it is imperative that parents take a protective stance against bullying if the school cannot or will not do so.