If Your Child is Bullied...
Reducing Bullying by Teaching Replacement Behaviors
What to do If Your Child is Bullied...
Bullying: when a person or group uses power - such as physical,
verbal or social - to hurt or intimidate someone or a group who has
less power.
Listen & be empathetic - Be an active listener and let your
child lead the conversation. Occasionally, rephrase the information
your child gives you and repeat the information back to your child
in your own words.
Listen for the '5 Ws' - Listen for the who, what, when, where, and
why - but be aware, your child may be sensitive to being asked a
lot of questions at one time. Plan on multiple conversations to get
the information you need to help your child.
Make changes / Build skills - Based on the '5 W's", discuss ideas
on how to safely and effectively stop the bullying. Role-play
different approaches and responses with your child so that he or
she will be prepared to stop the bullying but not get into a
physical or verbal fight. Also, brainstorm ways to increase
friendships by developing physical and social skills that are
appreciated by other children.
Discuss emotional expression - Being bullied can create feelings of
anger, frustration, sadness, depression or vengeance. Teach your
child how to relieve these feelings without being violent to
themselves or others. Ideas may include talking with other adults
and trusted friends, writing in a journal, creating art, doing
physical activities and deep-breathing.
Work with the school - If the bullying is happening at school,
speak to your child's classroom teacher or advisor so they can
help.
The '5 W's'
Who was involved? One person or a few? someone they don't know
or people they hang with? Anyone else around?
What type of bullying - physical, verbal, relational, cyber, or a
combination?
Where does the bullying happen? Online? In the neighborhood? The
Mall? School?
When does it happen? At a certain time or is it random? Weekends?
Before school? Or after?
Why does your child think that the bullying happens?
From Balance Educational Services
