If your kid seems depressed, withdrawn or lonely, they may be experiencing bullying.
Talking Points:
- As a parent, you need to be approachable. Create a safe space for your kids to come to you with issues like bullying.
- If your kid shares troubling information, don’t overreact. Try to remain calm and pragmatic so you don’t make a hard issue even worse for them.
- Talk to your kids about what bullying is in all of its forms even if your kids aren’t currently experiencing bullying. Name it and define it so your kids know what it is when it happens.
- Practice healthy responses to bullying at home. Create scenarios and a good way to respond. This is empowering for your kids.
- There are times when it will be appropriate to reach out to a teacher or even to the parents of the bully. Your kid needs to see that you’ll protect them.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What experience do you have with bullying in your own life? How did that impact you?
- Have your kids experienced bullying? Explain. What behavior changes did you notice?
- What does an approachable parent look like? Would your kids say you are approachable? Explain.
- Why is there power in naming bullying behavior? What are some good strategies you’ve heard from others about how to respond to a bully?
- What would you say is the appropriate time to involve other adults in a bullying situation?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?