Bullying can happen anywhere and as a parent it is important that you are there to listen to and support your child. Talking to your child about bullying can help them feel safe and you can empower them to stand up to bullying when they see it. If your child tells you about bullying, stay calm and really listen to them. Let them know you are on their side by saying things like:

• Thank you for sharing this with me.
• I am here to help.
• We can figure this out together.

Do not confront the bully or their parents. Work with school staff to address the issue.

If bullying happens where you live, there are steps you can take to deal with it.

• Talk to your neighbors to see if they have noticed.
• Keep track of incidents.
• Set clear consequences for bullying behaviors.

Model empathy, or caring about others, and kindness. If you need more support, reach out to your child’s doctor or a family counselor.