Stop Bullying: How To Deal With A Bully

As a parent, having your child bullied can really break your heart but there are ways to stop bullying at school. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, more than one out of every five students report being bullied in school. The common areas it takes place include: school hallways, inside classrooms, in the cafeteria and outside on school grounds. It is impossible for parents to be around their child 24/7. Therefore, it is critical to teach kids skills on how to deal with bullies and defuse situations on their own. Stopping bullying behavior requires a collective effort involving multiple approaches. Here are some steps that can be taken.

How To Stop Bullying In School

Stopping bullying is an ongoing process that requires commitment from individuals, communities, schools, and organizations. Schools and workplaces should have clear, comprehensive anti-bullying policies in place. These policies should outline what constitutes bullying, procedures for reporting, and consequences for perpetrators. It involves creating a culture of respect, empathy, and support while addressing the underlying causes of bullying behavior.

Today, I am happy to feature some stop bullying at school tips from Krav Maga Worldwide, a global leader in personal defense. Children can and should learn how to deal with bullies safely. I hope you find these tips helpful.

How To Deal With Bullies- Tips To Help Children Safely Stop Bullying In Schools

Dealing with a bully can be challenging, but there are several strategies that may help you handle the situation effectively.

Confidence is key.

Most bullies tend to target people they view as weak or vulnerable. Teach children to use assertive body posture by standing tall and holding their head up when they are addressing a bully. Seeming more confident will make the bully less likely to engage. Hold your head up, make eye contact, and speak in a firm but non-confrontational tone.

Strength in numbers.

Whenever possible, stay in groups or areas where there are other people around. Bullies tend to target individuals when they are alone. Safety in numbers can deter bullying behavior. Of course, your child and his/her best friend cannot go everywhere together just like you cannot be there all the time, but it helps to have support. Teach children to stick with the friends that make them feel comfortable and to seek them out when a bully starts to get aggressive.

Do not give a reaction.

Bullies love to think they have power and can get another child to react how they want them to. Teach children to walk away or keep their cool when someone else starts to get under their skin. Aggressive behavior tends to encourage the bully and escalates the situation. Try to remain composed and avoid showing strong emotions when dealing with a bully. Bullies often seek reactions, so staying calm can diffuse the situation.

When push comes to shove.

Some situations are not as easy as walking away or not giving the bully a reaction. You may wish to enroll children in age-appropriate self-defense classes that teach them physical skills along with verbal and body language skills. If push comes to shove and telling them to stop does not help, your child should leave and get adult help. Bullying should always be reported to appropriate adults in the school and to parents.

It is okay to ask for help.

Children are often taught growing up not to tell on someone. However, children need to understand that there are no circumstances where bullying is okay, and it should be brought to the attention of a teacher or another adult figure in charge at the time of the incident.

Open the door for communication.

Victims of bullying tend to keep quiet about the abuse they are facing. Make sure to ask your child about his/her day and if there is anything new to talk about. You will often be able to tell by body language and voice if something more is happening. Tell your child you need to know what is going on so you can help stop bullying at school. It is not their fault and they can get help to stop bullying. Make sure you give them a chance to really talk and make sure you are really listening.

Kids need to talk to someone they trust, whether it’s a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor. Seeking support can provide emotional relief and guidance on how to handle the situation.

What To Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied

If the bullying persists or escalates, report it to a trusted authority figure, such as a teacher, school counselor, HR representative at work, or supervisor. Provide them with the documented evidence of the bullying.

I hope these ways to stop bullying at school are helpful to you and your child. Make sure to nip bullying in the bud right away. When my son, Leo, was little (I think first grade) he told me a boy kept calling him weird. I asked Leo if he had told the boy to stop that and he hadn’t. I told Leo to nicely but firmly tell the boy that it wasn’t nice to say that and to stop. Leo tried that but it didn’t work. Therefore, I told the teacher and she sent the boy to the guidance counselor and the boy stopped. Often bullies just need a loud and clear message from an adult or several adults to realize their behavior is unacceptable.

If your child can’t deal with the bully successfully, don’t be afraid to ask for support from the school. If you don’t get help from the school teacher, try the school counselor, and or the school principle. You may also find these resources from the United States government to be helpful.

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