How to help your child with Bullying
Children who can advocate for themselves have a strong tool to prevent bullying in developing the ability to stand up for her/him self. Building a positive attitude is a path for children to be able for self-advocacy.
10 Ways To Help Your Child Have A Positive Attitude
- Build your child’s self-esteem by giving frequent hugs and words of praise. Urge your child to take pride in efforts as well as achievements.
- Encourage optimism in every situation. Help your child see mistakes as opportunities to learn, and obstacles as exciting challenges.
- Make sure your child knows you’re always available to talk. Ask about school every day and listen with your full attention.
- Teach your child healthy ways to manage stress. Talking to a trusted friend, playing with a pet, reading or enjoying a hobby are just a few options.
- Help your child appreciate life’s pleasures. Go to fun events together, play games, and watch funny movies. Enjoy each other and laugh as much as possible.
- Prompt your child to brighten the lives of others by doing things like making surprise gifts for friends or volunteering in the community.
- Ensure that your child eats a balanced diet with plenty of whole grains,fresh fruits, and vegetables.
- Emphasize the value of exercise and rest. Physical activity relieves stress, boosts energy, and is a natural mood lifter. Adequate sleep prepares your child for each new day.
- Urge your child to seek out upbeat friends. They’ll have an impact on your child’s outlook.
- Do your best to stay positive and model the attitude you want your child to have. Your child learns from watching you.
Bullying Prevention
Stay involved in your child’s life. Keep the communication open, ask questions, and talk to your child about what’s happening in school or online. Start a discussion about bullying, and make sure your child knows what it is and that it’s unacceptable on any level.
Look for warning signs that your child has been bullied, like depression, anxiety, isolated or withdrawn behavior, or complaints that he/she doesn’t want to go to school.
Make sure children understand that bullying and cyberbullying have the same effects. Just because someone bullies via the internet doesn’t mean it’s less hurtful, and kids may not see that connection.
Keep track of what internet or social sites your child visits and know their passwords. But don’t spy on your child or they will lose trust in you if you confront them.
Be aware of who your child’s friends are online and off. If you find out your child is being bullied online, don’t deny them access to the computer. Find out where it’s happening and how, get a school counselor or teacher involved, and let your child know that you will support them.
If you find out your child is the bully, find out what the underlying problem is. Maybe he/she has been bullied since bullying can often be a result of being bullied. Try to solve the core issue together, and make sure there is zero-tolerance for bullying of any kind. Finally, try to have your child make amends with anyone they have bullied.
Resources on Bullying
Stop Bullying Now: https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Center for Parent Information and Resources: https://www.parentcenterhub.org/bullying/
Bullying Resources for Parents and Teachers: https://teach.com/online-ed/counseling-degrees/online-masters-school-counseling/bullying-resources/