Last time we talked about bullying, we discussed steps that an adult can take to identify signs of bullying against your child, and what you can do about it. Now, we discuss the other part of the equation: proactive steps your child can take on their own if they are being bullied. These are things that might not necessarily come naturally to your child, so proper instruction in the appropriate actions is necessary to lead to successful conflict resolution.
Having a confident attitude is a great way to ward off bullies. To be clear, this does not mean acting aggressively or fighting, but rather projecting confidence towards a would-be bully. If a kid is bullied, one of the first things they can do, if they feel safe, is to look the bully in the eye and say with authority “You don’t scare me” or “Leave me alone.” Bullies look for weak victims, so projecting an air of confidence can help dissuade a bully from acting out.
One of the best things a child can do is to simply not engage the bully. Walking away, not running, while telling the bully you aren’t scared of them, is a great way to diffuse the situation. Running away may reinforce the feelings of power that a bully seeks, and may strengthen the resolve of the bully to try again later.
Make sure the child tells an adult! Adults are in the best position to stop bullying, and if the rules we discussed last time are followed, bullying incidents can usually be resolved successfully. Make sure your child understands that they shouldn’t have to worry about other kids being upset that they are “tattled” on, and that being bullied isn’t their fault.
While these are only a few ways for your child to deal with bullying, they are some of the best, and cover a broad array of situations.
What are some other ways you or your child has dealt with bullying in the past? Leave some suggestions in the comments section below!
