IS YOUR CHILD A VICTIM?  TIPS FOR PARENTS
Protect Your Child From Bullying by Allan L. Beane, Ph.D.
 

Here are some steps parents can take and information to help a child who is being bullied:

Let your child know that no one deserves to be bullied.
Find out what happened, who was involved and when and where it happened, and keep a log of this information.
Express confidence that you, the adults at school and your child will be able to find a solution.
Don't tell your child to retaliate.  It's against the rules, and retaliation frequently makes the bullying worse and more prolonged.  Additionally, bullies are often more powerful than their victims.
Don't tell your child to ignore the bully.  Most of the time, ignoring doesn't work.
Teach your child to be assertive, but not aggressive.
Monitor your child's whereabouts and his friendships.
Watch for signs of depression and anxiety in your child, and do not hesitate to seek professional counseling.
Don't give up!

by Hannah - 5th grade
 

VICTIM WARNING SIGNS
 

These are some of the warning signs victims of bullying might display:

Sudden decreased interest in school (wants to stay home).
Sudden loss of interest in favorite school activities (e.g., band, swim team, basketball team)
Wants the parent to take her to school instead of riding the bus.
Suddenly prefers the company of adults.
Frequent illnesses such as headaches and stomachaches
Comes home with unexplained scratches, bruises and torn clothing
Suddenly becomes moody, irritable, or angry and starts bullying others (e.g. siblings, children in neighborhood)
Talks about being sad, anxious, depressed or having panic attacks




by Lauren - 5th grade