nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Medicine Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      The latest information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, including vaccine clinics for children ages 6 months and older.

      La información más reciente sobre el nuevo Coronavirus de 2019, incluidas las clínicas de vacunación para niños de 6 meses en adelante.

      /nutch_noindex

       


      Bullies: Helping Your Child Cope

      Bullying can happen in school, on the playground—and now even on the Internet through social networking sites. Bullying is intentional tormenting that can be physical, social, or psychological. Hitting, shoving, threatening, shunning, and spreading rumors can all be forms of bullying. Kids who are bullied can become depressed, develop low self-esteem, avoid school, feel physically ill, and even think about killing themselves.

      What to look for

      There are few things as disturbing as finding out your child is a victim of bullying. Other than seeing signs of physical harm like cuts or bruises, it may be hard to know about bullying unless your child tells you or you ask. That's why it's a good idea to bring up the subject, even if you don't think anything is wrong. Also, let your children know how important it is to tell an adult if they have been bullied. Or to tell an adult if they have seen any other kids being bullied.

      Changes in your child's normal behavior may be warning signs of bullying. Signs to look for include:

      • Anxiety

      • Moodiness

      • Inability to sleep well

      • Loss of appetite

      • Wanting to avoid normal routines, such as taking the school bus

      How to help your child

      The first thing you need to do is control your own emotions. One of the reasons kids don't tell parents about bullying is because they are afraid of their parents’ reaction. Stay calm, offer support, and tell your child that you are going to help.

      Never ignore bullying, and never tell your child to tough it out or fight back. Fighting back is almost always a bad idea. Kids who fight get hurt, and both kids may get in trouble.

      Here are safe tips for helping your child:

      • Reassure your child. Make sure your child knows that he or she is not to blame and should not be ashamed. Praise the courage it took to come forward and tell you about the problem.

      • Learn the facts. Get all the information you can about the bullying. This includes who is involved, how often it happens, and where it takes place.

      • Let the proper authorities know. Don’t confront the bully's parents on your own. Leave that to school or other officials.

      • Encourage safe activities and friendships. You may want to ask your child's teacher for advice on participating in healthy activities like the arts or athletics.

      • Have a safety plan. Talk about locations, groups of kids, and activities that should be avoided. Make sure your child uses the buddy system when at risk. Discuss where to go and whom to ask for help in case of an incident.

      Bullying is a common problem for many kids, but as kids start to learn that bullying is never cool and that adults need to know about any acts of bullying, the situation should get better. Learn about your state’s bullying laws. If you have tried all the standard ways to prevent bullying and still fear for your child's safety, you may need to contact legal authorities.

      Finally, remember that many kids become bullies because they learn bullying at home. Children who are exposed to anger, shame, and violence are children who are at risk for becoming bullies. You don't want your child to be bullied and you certainly don't want your child to be a bully. Make your home environment safe and supportive.

      Related Topics

      • Bullies: Helping Your Child Cope
      • Answers to Questions About Your Child's Mental Health
      • Journaling for Mental Health
      • Keeping Bullying and Violence Out of Schools

        nutch_noindex
        • About Us
        • Contact
        • MyChart Login
        • Careers
        • Blog
        • Refer a Patient
        • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
        • Notice of Nondiscrimination
        • Terms of Use
        • Privacy Policy
        • Code of Conduct

        © 2023 Stanford Medicine Children's Health

        About

        • About Us
        • Our Hospital
        • Patient Stories
        • Blog
        • News
        • Send a Greeting Card
        • New Hospital
        • Careers

        Connect

        • Donate
        • Refer a Patient
        • Contact Us
        • Pay Your Bill

        Find

        • Doctors
        • Locations
        • Services
        • Classes
        Download from App Store Download From Google Play

        Also Find Us on:

        • facebook
        • twitter
        • youtube
        • linkedin
        US News & World Report Badge
        • Stanford Medicine
        • Stanford University
        • Stanford Health Care
        • Lucile Packard Foundation
        • Notice of Nondiscrimination
        • Terms of Use
        • Privacy Policy
        • Code of Conduct
        • © 2023 Stanford MEDICINE Children's Health
        /nutch_noindex
        shareprint