What Parents Can Do About
Bullying and Teasing
Children who are bullied often suffer in silence. On the one hand they want the abuse to stop, but on the other they are reluctant to report it, fearing retaliation from the bully and ridicule from their peers. So what can parents do?
It is important for your child to understand that ignoring bullying does not make it go away. If ignoring did not work the first time, the abuse is likely to continue unless something is done. Teach your child to be assertive by telling the other student to stop. Explain to your child the difference between tattling and reporting. Tattling is reporting minor rule infractions solely to get someone else in trouble, while reporting is notifying adults in charge of a serious violation of school rules.
Encourage your child report ongoing problems to a school staff member. If your child is reluctant to do so, call your child's counselor or assistant principal and report the problem. Request that school staff handle the information sensitively as to prevent embarrassing your child.
When making a report, it is important to explain where and when the bullying or teasing takes place (on the bus ride home, in the hallway to lunch, etc.) and what the student has done so far to avoid or stop the abuse.
For more information please visit www.bullystoppers.com, a site where students and parents may post anonymous reports of bullying for school staff members to review and take action.
(*Used with permission from Bullystoppers.com and Tom Letson, MA LPC)
