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Prevention * Education * Awareness |
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Community Drug and Alcohol Council, Inc. |
Bullying: How Savvy Parents Stay in Control |
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Bullying is the intentional, repeated hurtful acts by one or more children against another. These hurtful acts are not intentionally brought on by the victim forms an imbalance in power between the bully and the victim. Bullying can take many forms such as hitting or punching (physical bullying); teasing or name calling (verbal bullying); intimidation through gestures or social exclusion (emotional bullying); and sending insulting messages through email (cyber bullying).
Parents and schools should take bullying seriously and work toward a healthy solution.
Bullying often goes unseen by teachers or other responsible adults. If the bully goes unpunished, the child may suffer in silence and fear.
Victims Suffer More than Physically: · The stress of being bullied can interfere with doing well in school · Victims may fear going to school, using the restroom, and riding the school bus · Kids may skip school to avoid being bullied · Victims are more likely to be depressed, lonely, anxious, have low self esteem, feel unwell, and think about suicide. · Kids may grow up to have anxiety and insecurity problems and display more symptoms of depression
What the Savvy Parent can do: · Demonstrate assertive behavior - teach your child its okay to say “no” · Praise your child often - this will increase his/her self esteem · If your child is a victim - work with the school for a healthy solution · If the problem persists or escalates you may have to contact local law enforcement or an attorney If your child is bullying others: Work with the school to resolve the situation. Make it clear to your child you will not accept this behavior. Set rules and be consistent with negative consequences if broken. |
