Standing up and letting it be known that you will not tolerate bullying and helping the victim is a great way to help stop bullying. Get active and participate in anti-bullying campaigns, such as Pink T-Shirt Day is something else you can do.
These are really only first steps, though.
Here are some other things that you can do:
- Meet with your child’s teacher, principal, or school counsellor – whether your child is the victim, or if you think they may be the bully. Discuss the issue.
- Help children who exhibit bullying to learn positive behaviours – teach friendship skills.
- Nurture empathy. One way to start this early is through the Roots of Empathy school program. If your school doesn’t have a program, talk to them about starting!
- Find an appropriate outlet for aggression.
- Devise strategies for rewarding positive behaviours.
- Talk to your kids about bullying.
- Model respect and kindness.
- Take bullying seriously – it’s not just ‘a phase’, or ‘kids will be kids’.
- Talk to a professional – or encourage kids to talk to someone. Kids Help Phone is one resource