Children who are bullied suffer higher rates of anxiety, depression and low self-esteem and are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than kids who aren’t victimized by classroom bullies, warns a recent Mayo Clinic report (see our August 21, 2009 post). With nearly half of all school-aged children subjected to bullying at some point during their school years, parents need to know how to deal with this ever-growing threat to their children’s physical and emotional health. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which now urges physicians to include signs of bullying in patient assessments, recommends that parents take the following steps to protect their children from bullying:
If your child is the victim of bullying:
- Teach your child to stand up for himself by saying things like “I don’t like what you are doing.” Teach him to stay calm and walk away from bullies.
- Tell your child when and how to ask for help. Suggest they find an adult and tell them about the problem if they are being bullied.
- Encourage your child to develop friendships with other children. Children who are socially isolated are more apt to be bullied.
- Support activities that interest your child.
- Alert school officials and teachers if your child complains about bullying. Be an advocate for your child and see that the situation is resolved.
- Ask other adults to watch out for your child’s safety when you cannot be present.
If your child is a bully:
- Emphasize to your child that you are firmly against bullying.
- Be a positive role model for your child. Show him how to get what he wants without teasing, threatening or hurting another person.
- Set firm and consistent limits on aggressive behavior.
- Be clear in defining age-appropriate consequences for bullying behavior and be consistent in implementing those consequences.
- Use effective, nonphysical discipline such as loss of privileges.
- Work with school officials, teachers, counselors and the parents of victims to develop practical solutions.
Bullying can have a disastrous long-term impact on a child’s emotional development. If your child is a bully or a victim, consider taking him or her to a board certified psychiatrist like Dr. Tracey Marks. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is effective in replacing detrimental, maladjusted behaviors with positive, life-affirming ones.