Battling Back Against School Bullies: What Parents Can Do

Bullied kids really can take a beating—in many ways. Studies show they are more likely than other kids to have sleep troubles, upset stomachs, depression, and anxiety. They also don’t perform as well at school.

If your child has regular run-ins with mean kids, here’s how you can help and provide support:

• Remain calm and remind your child it’s not his fault.
• If bullying happens at school, contact the teacher and provide as many specifics about the incident as possible.
• Boost your child’s confidence by getting her involved in activities she likes, such as sports or art.
• Be alert for “cyber-bullying”—kids posting or sending nasty comments via the Internet. Encourage your child not to respond to these messages, and try using software to filter them out.