Help your kids cope with bullying and lessen its lasting impact.

It’s the start of the school year, a joyous time for most kids because they are excited to make new friends, see old ones and, of course, wear their new clothes on the first day of school. Unfortunately for some kids this is a terrifying time, because they see school as a compromising and unsafe place to be. Why? Because they were bullied in the past and fear being bullied again.

Being the victim of bullying can be a huge distraction to kids, and can destroy any enthusiasm they may have about returning to classes. As parents, there some very important and proactive things you can do to help.

The first thing to do is to talk to your kids about bullying.  Ask them what they need in order to feel safe and have an enjoyable back-to-school experience.  Continue this communication as the year goes on. It is vital to have open conversations, so that your child knows that they have your full support. What may seem like an easy situation to deal with for you may be complicated for them to sort through.

Some kids feel pressured to wear the coolest clothes, be a stand-out athlete or be the class clown in order to not be picked on.  However, these goals aren’t realistic for most little ones. Children should not be pressured to live up to anyone’s expectations in order to fit in.  Parents should recognize their child’s strengths and, more importantly, help their child identity their own strengths and cherish them. Instilling confidence in your child goes a long way.

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