What do you do when your child is being bullied in school? It can come in so many forms. Physical, verbal, cyber, overt, salacious. I remember being physically threatened in the basement of Christ On The Mountain during a teen social. The lights were dim, DJ playing “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and this behemoth girl, at least two years older than me, telling me she was going to beat the crap out of me. I was in fifth grade at a church dance when it happened. I had no idea why, still don’t.
Bullying can take many forms. It is the kid in the lunchroom who takes your lunch. The mean girls group who spread rumors about you in school. It is the adult who intimidates you into treating her child when you have said no. Or the parent who emails to tell you to tell your child to “stand up to her” following an attempt at dialogue concerning bullying. No matter how you slice it, bullying causes that adrenaline rush, stomach clenching, heart-racing need to get out immediately, at least for me. So how do you teach your tender hearted child to stand up to children who bully in school?
Here are five suggestions for what to do when your child is being bullied in school:
According to Ronald E. Riggio Ph.D., a child who bullies “will often pick on people who they feel won’t fight back—the people who are nice and try to get along with everyone.” In my child’s case this fits the bill. They are non-confrontational and will turn away and cry before standing up for themselves. Continue reading What Do You Do When Your Child Is Being Bullied?
