Nearly everyone has experienced bullying.  It’s a nasty problem, but realistically, it’s unavoidable.  There are just mean people who raise mean kids.  In many cases, outside forces can stop it, but in some rare cases, nothing schools or police agencies do will stop bullying.  But you may be able to.   Adults in the home can quickly address Cyber bullying.

First and foremost, stay aware of your child’s coming and going.  Once you know about the problem, for goodness sake, take action. You are the adult!  Immediately change the phone number of your child’s phone.  Unplug the computer.  If necessary, take the phone from your child.  Stop the bully’s access to your child via electronics.  You have the power and the responsibility to do this.  I repeat, you are the parent, be the adult!   IF POSSIBLE, call the parents of the bully.  If that doesn’t work, ask for help from outside organizations.   You must show your child how to be proactive. You cannot expect others to fix your home problem.  By attacking the problem immediately, your child sees how to empower himself.   She understands that she does not have to be a powerless victim.

If your child is bullied in person, you have to teach your child how to handle it based on your family code.  Teach your child to ignore the bully, as hard as it is, walk away. Ignoring the bully usually deflates his attack.   If any physical contact is made, if physical violence is threatened, then you must contact proper authorities.  To assume others can fix your problem is only avoiding parenting when it’s most important.

Above all, you must talk to your child. Make sure he or she knows others’ negative opinions are not important; those comments have no validity.  You must help your child with his self worth. It is so important for your child to know how much he or she is loved and valued.  If a child knows this, she will be better prepared to handle negative commentary in general.  No, it is never easy to deal with a bully, but self-worth is a powerful tool.  It’s harder to be a victim if one has self-worth.   If necessary, do not hesitate to seek outside help.

This is an old saying, but it’s something a kid holds on to.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”