How to Deal With Bullies

When you are dealing with bullies, your first thought may be to find out how you can confront a particular individual, protect yourself or stop the problem. Learning how to interact with a bully in a way that produces a positive outcome is smart, but you must also remember that you make your greatest gain if you learn how to take care of yourself in the process.

Instructions

1. Restore your self-esteem. While you're developing a strategy for dealing with bullies, keep in mind that your sense of self-worth is of prime importance. When you must walk away, use assertive language, defuse the bully with humor or employ any other tactic as a means of defense, you're taking back what the bully wants to destroy-your self-confidence.

2. Build friendships with other kids who share your interests. The buddy system is one of the best ways you can protect yourself from bullies because they typically have an aversion to groups. Connect with someone else and gain the support of an ally at the same time.

3. Seek out the assistance of an adult. While the actions of an adult working on your behalf might help stop bullies in their tracks, it also helps you realize you have resources that are available to you. The behavior of bullies is unacceptable and you have every right to protect yourself from further mistreatment.

4. Stop the problem by working together with other people to find a way to resolve the issue. You can find strength in numbers and you can beat the feeling that you are alone or that you deserve to have someone bully you by sharing your struggles with other people.