At some point in their lives, every child will have to deal with bullying. In many cases, it will come at an early age and parents have to be ready to guide their children in the right direction. While it might seem natural to jump to their aid and try to protect them, it is far better to attempt other methods instead. If you can follow the information provided in this article, there is a good chance you will avoid your child being scarred from bullying or turning into a bully himself.
Avoiding Violence at All Costs
Parents often believe their children are superior to others, but this natural inclination should not cloud judgment. Never make the mistake of thinking that your child is “right” in a certain situation and never advocate for violence under any circumstances. One exception may be defense, but that is a topic that can come up later. Today, video games and television promote a culture of violence that make dealing with bullies very difficult. When a child is made fun of or ridiculed, it is easy to lash out with violence and anger, but far better to avoid such actions. At our Albuquerque child care centers, the teachers do not allow the children to engage in violent conduct.
If you notice your children might be having an issue with bullying, speak to them about their problems and determine how they are feeling. Try to discern whether they feel violent with the person or just want them to quit. It is natural to be violent, but explaining to your children that violence is not the right way to do things is a good task that you would benefit from partaking in.
Working on Self Esteem
Sometimes the verbal bullying can be the worst kind and while it might not elicit a violent response from your child, they may seem to have significant mental and emotional anguish as a result. This requires you to focus on the consequences of the bully’s actions. Ask your children how they feel as a result of having those kinds of things said to them. If they are not happy about them, ask them why and how they feel about it. Many children will confess that they feel as though something is wrong with them when another individual makes that sound true. As parents, it is your responsibility to help them understand that certain aspects of their appearance can’t be changed and it is better to accept themselves.
This type of work on the children’s self-esteem can come at all times, but it is especially important in times when they are feeling down due to a bully. While coddling your child and telling them that everything is okay, and they are perfect just the way they are, is not going to solve all of the self esteem problems; it is a good idea to have some level of sympathy as they go through these hardships. Young children dealing with bullies can be emotionally distraught due to the contrast they usually have while they spend time with their parents at home.
