Managing a Kid Who Is a Bully
The preteen years are difficult for many kids as they undergo body changes and take more of an interest in their peers. But some kids react to the pressure of being a preteen by bullying others. Nowadays, there is a lot of press about the terrible effects of being bullied and how some kids have attributed this to why they have become angry, violent or perpetrators of school shootings. As a parent of a preteen, it's important to step in if your child is the bully. Here are some things you can do to stop your kid from bullying others:
Find out the circumstances under which your child is being accused of being a bully. If your child has bullied another child, there needs to be appropriate consequences set forth by you, as the parent.
Make it clear that bullying won't be tolerated. Tell your child that making fun of others, physically touching or hurting others or instigating other kids to be involved in these types of behaviors is not acceptable.
Find out why your child feels he/she needs to bully another child. Generally, it reflects a lack of self-esteem. Perhaps your child was bullied at a younger age or is getting bullied by someone else. If so, take the appropriate actions.
Get professional help. If your child has repeatedly bullied another or does not respond to the above measures, then seek professional guidance…not only for your child, but as a family to help your child stop this hurtful behavior.
Provided byElizabeth M. Alderman, M.D.
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