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A Watch-dog Organization - Advocating for Bullied Children
& Reporting on State Anti Bullying Laws

SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTS

WHEN DEALING WITH BULLYING

By Brenda High, Director, Bully Police USA

Download: http://www.bullypolice.org/dealing_with_bullying.pdf, for a printable copy.

PART III

Bullying is an adult problem

Do not let anyone, (Administrators, teachers, etc), try to put the blame of bullying on your child, a victim of the bully. The blame is always on the bully and the reason for the bullying is that adults allow it to happen. Bullies bully because they can, and because they can get away with it. Adults let bullies get away with bullying and when adults choose to do something to stop the bullying, it will stop.

Tell administrators that you will discuss your child’s problems when they have stopped the bullying.

When to call an attorney

If you have not been satisfied with the response you have received from School Administrators within a reasonable period, then hire an Attorney. If this is a case of a major harassment situation, such as a physical or sexual assault, call an Attorney within 24 hours. DO NOT let your school become your attorney! They have already proven that they do not have your child’s best interest in mind or they would have solved the bullying problem. They are not the parents of your child and they do not love your child as you do. Armed with your documented evidence, and your repeated requests for help, you will find that the schools will take responsibility for their actions, or they will pay for their incompetence in court.

Going to the top for help

Check out www.bullypolice.org to see if your state has an anti bullying law. If your state needs improvement or has no law, contact your local State Representative or State Senator and get something started. Ask them to support State laws that will protect children from bullies, students who are whistle blowers, give counselors to victims, and make stronger laws to force bullies to take responsibility for their actions. If your State has a law, than insist that your school districts obey the law.

Be sure and read up on how to get a good anti bullying law at the www.bullypolice.org website.
Do your homework. Obtain copies of your State law and your school district policies regarding bullying, harassment, and your child's right to a safe learning environment. If your school does not have a policy, insist that they get one and volunteer to get on the committee to write it.

Its time that every school in America has a clear direction, by common sense laws, to stop the hurt and pain that goes on every day in a place where our children should feel safe and secure. .

It only takes one voice to make a difference.

In the aftermath – how to help your child heal

Keep listening and communicating with your child. Ask them questions about how they are doing in school, like, “Did you play with anyone on the playground today?” or “Did you sit with anyone at lunch today”. You are checking to see if your child is spending any time with friends. A lonely child is at great risk for depression. Continue to ask your child about the bullying and whether the situation has improved.

Consider getting your child in to see a Counselor or Therapist. Check with the school district to see if they have any qualified counselors, who have dealt with bullying and the conditions it may cause, like depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorders. Follow up frequently with the school

See who else in your area has children going through bullying or have children who have dealt with bullying. A positive and proactive approach would be to work with your school district to get a quality anti bullying program into your local schools. This can also be a “healing” activity, to take away the anger that victims of bullying harbor inside. Get creative - Bullying decreases when students, parents and child activists show their numbers, demanding positive changes inside their schools.

Find a healing extracurricular activity. There are Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, self-defense classes, volunteer organizations in the community, church activities, or community events. Do something as a family or perhaps develop a hobby.

Stay united as a family

Remember that you are not alone. There are a good number of us out there experiencing the same thing. Have a game plan in mind including removing your child from the school, home schooling, requesting that the school provide a tutor, etc. These are often hard decisions to make, but they may be the only options available as you work at resolving the problem.

“Be strong. Turn your anger and disgust into something positive. You owe it to yourself and your child's academic success and happiness." Ken Kuczynski, President Power of One Foundation, Inc. http://www.powerofonefoundation.org/

BACK TO PART II
TO PART I

Download: http://www.bullypolice.org/dealing_with_bullying.pdf, for a printable copy.

This article is the intellectual property of Brenda High, Director, Bully Police USA and may be used for educational purposes without permission. Please credit Brenda High & www.bullypolice.org