Source: HRSA

• First, focus on your child. Be supportive and gather information about the bullying. Tell your child you are concerned about him or her and ask questions.
• Contact your child’s teacher and/or principal. He or she will probably be in the best position to understand the relationships between your child and other peers at school. Ask the teacher to talk to other adults who interact with your child at school to see if they have observed students bullying your child.
• If you know your child is being bullied, take quick action. There is nothing worse than doing nothing, and bullying can have serious effects.

If, after talking with your child and staff at his or her school, you don’t believe your child is being bullied, be alert to other possible problems your child may be having. Share your concerns with a counselor at your child’s school.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

• The child comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books or other belongings.
• The child has unexplained bruises, cuts or scratches.
• The child seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus or taking part in organized activities with peers.
• The child appears sad, moody, teary or depressed when he or she comes home.
• The child frequently appears anxious and/or suffers from low self-esteem.

Source: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Much research on family conditions and the upbringing of children has led to this important conclusion:

A lot of love and involvement from the people bringing up children, clear limits for what behavior is allowed and not allowed, as well as the use of nonviolent methods of upbringing, creates non-aggressive, harmonious, and independent children.

Here are some common sense rules for parents/caregivers who want to help children have a positive childhood.

• Let your child feel he or she is important. Children have a great need to feel they are important to their parents. Children grow on love and challenges.
• Laugh with and not at your child. Children are proud and can be deeply hurt when they feel you are making fun of them. Laugh with your child; humor is positive.
• Do not give in to your child to avoid conflict. Children feel more secure when they have limits set for them in their everyday life, but they often cannot refrain from testing their limits.
• Keep the agreements you make with your children. Children feel helpless if you break agreements without good reason. If your child isnt sure whether he or she can rely on you, whom can he or she rely on? Remember that what you do today contributes to forming the future.
• Praise your child frequently. Encouragement and kind words motivate a child to cooperate. Positive support strengthens the childs self-image and creates an enthusiastic spirit. When new challenges arise, your child will be able to meet them confidently.
• Remember that you are a role model for your child. Your child is bonded with you in the deepest love and admiration. That is why he or she wants to be like you, at least when he or she is young. Whatever you do, your child will do. Whatever you say or believe, your child will repeat.
• Do not frighten your child unnecessarily. Sometimes you may need to scare your child to keep him or her away from dangerous situations, but children should not be scared into obedience. Spare your child upsetting knowledge about things he or she cannot do anything about.

Source: SAMHSA Health Information Network