How to Help Stop Bullying

Communicate with your child to curb bullying before it starts.

Bullying is a social problem that negatively affects children of a wide spectrum of ages. Whether your child is the bully or is the one being harassed, there are steps you can take to minimize bullying and to stop it altogether. Talking about bullying and being approachable to your child are some of the most helpful actions you can take, writes the medical website WebMD.

Things You'll Need

• Professional literature on bullying

Instructions

1. Talk to your child. The best way to know what is going on in your child's life is to be willing to sit down and talk to him. Let him know that he matters and that you are a "safe" person to talk to about what is happening in his life. This is sometimes a difficult task. Do not be ashamed if your child seems to connect on deeply personal level with a mentor about five years older than he. You and the mentor can work on creating a relationship that makes your child feel safe and loved unconditionally.

2. Model to your child how to be empathetic and kind to others. When you talk about the needs and sensitivities of other people, then you help your child understand emotions, feelings and differences. This may help to prevent your child from being the bully.

3. Intervene when you see bullying happening or bullying behaviors developing. Make sure your child understands that you will not stand for bullying, advises WebMD. If a child is bullying your child, go talk to that child's parents first; form an alliance with them so that the bullying child does not try to manipulate the situation or go on the defensive, advises WebMD. If your child is the bully, then set rules and appropriate punishments for breaking the rules. You may need to supervise your child more---let him know that you are watching and listening.

4. Model good behavior to your child. Think about how you treat other people. Think about how you express your anger. Think about the things you say when you are upset or a situation is not going your way. Remember that you are your child's role model for how to behave socially. If you are not practicing the behavior that you are asking your child to use, then it may be difficult to get your child to behave appropriately.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't ignore any of the signs of bullying, advises WebMD; bullying could be a sign of what is to come in the future, such as the potential for violent behavior.

References

• "WebMD: Bullying---How Adults Can Help Stop Bullying"; January 2009