What Parents Can Do About Bullying

I have always believed that bullying can be solved at home. This is because I hold on to the belief that children bully others because of underlying problems which may be dealt with within the family circle. More often than not, children who engage in aggressive bullying behavior have problems at home or are not getting enough attention and guidance from their parents. If parents take the time to help their children, we might very well get rid of the bullying problems in school.

I found a very good resource in the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) web site. They list down some things that parents can do about the problem. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Teach children to be assertive. Emphasize peaceful ways to solve problems and encourage kids to stand up for themselves verbally, not violently.

Indeed, we have to show our children that violence is not always the answer. Whether our children have the tendency to bully or be bullied, we can always instill values in them; values which will not make them doormats but at the same time, not make them instigators of violence OR victims of violence.

Hold kids accountable. If children stand by and watch someone being bullied, make it clear that their behavior hurts the victim too.

Accountability is something that many children do not understand the concept of. And why should they? Many adults today have a live and let live attitude. If we show our children that we do not care and we do not take the time to help those who are in need, then they naturally would do the same thing.

Get to know their friends. Encourage your children to invite their friends to your home or accompany you on family outings.

This is a very important thing. It used to be that parents knew their children’s friends. They even knew their parents. While this is not an assurance that the kids will not be bullies or will not be bullied, knowing the people your children hang out with can help you gain an insight into their social life.

I strongly believe that we can make a difference; that it is not too late. We really just need to go back to the basics and teach our children to become responsible and to respect others. If we succeed in doing this, we might just solve the problem called bullying.

How do you teach your child to deal with bullying?

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One Response to “What Parents Can Do About Bullying”

  1. Our children look to us for protection, reassurance, and to teach them right from wrong. When children are not guided down the right road it can lead to bullying and teasing. Parental guidance s important from the beginning for it can set the tone for the rest of their lives. Just know that you have so much influence in your children’s lives, use it wisely. The idea of my children being harmed or lost is not something anyone wants to consider. I found an article by anationofmoms about a service that can protect your family via your cell phone. And, at the bottom there is an opportunity to enter a drawing for 6 months of that service just by liking them on Facebook. You might find it interesting: http://anationofmoms.com/2011/08/protect-your-family-giveaway.html