How To Take The Bully By The Horns

Emails keep coming in from parents who don’t know how to approach their kids about the subject of bullying. This may not be the most diplomatic way to say it but, parents step up to the plate and take the bully by the horns!

If your child is the one being bullied and you haven’t been able to help raise his or her self esteem, then call in the cavalry!

What I mean is that if you are not getting the job done, there is nothing wrong with seeking the help of someone who can. It could save your child’s life!

Suggestions to increase children’s self esteem

• Enroll your child in a in a group where social skills are taught. They will learn how to use the social skills in different situations.
• Work on helping your child’s involvement in social activities. Give them the opportunity to have friends over and encourage sleepovers. (If you will be there to monitor the activities.)
• Enroll your children in activities that will help them feel good about themselves. Even if they are not great at sports, there are other activities such as karate that will help them gain the respect of their peers.
• Don’t allow the TV or video games to baby sit them. The danger with both is that aggression as a tool to solve conflict is validated. (Not to mention the fact that they are not getting much needed exercise just sitting.)

There is no disgrace in seeking the help of others when we as parents can’t solve our children’s problems.

Photo: Anja_Johnston