How to address bullying as school is back in session

(FOX40.COM) — School is back in session, and it is an exciting time for students, teachers and parents. However, with school comes the possibility of being a victim of bullies, raising the question, “How should parents address the topic of bullying with their kids?”

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If a parent suspects their child is being bullied, the organization, Stomp Out Bullying, recommends taking the following steps to address:

• Speak to your child and get all the detailed information about what the bullies are doing
• Obtain a copy of the school’s anti-bullying policy
• Speak to the principal and outline the information your child provided
• Ask what you can do together to stop the bullying
• Document the conversation and send a thank-you email recapping the solution agreed upon

If your child is still getting bullied, the organization said to file a Notice of Harassment. It is also recommended to contact the police if your child is getting bullied outside of school grounds or is being threatened.

Stop Bullying also emphasizes the importance of supporting the child involved.

The website gave advice on how to directly support your child if they are a victim:

• Listen and focus on your child
• Assure them that the bullying is not their fault
• Understand that children who are bullied may struggle talking about it and contact a school counselor, psychologist or other mental health service
• Give advice on what to do
• Work with your child, the school and organizations to protect them
• Commit to making the bullying end

Meanwhile, learning that your child is a bully could be just as hard as learning that they are being bullied.

Nemours Kids Health emphasized the importance of teaching your child not to bully others.

Whether it is a sense of insecurity, popularity or simply not knowing it is not ok, kids bully for many reasons. It is important to make sure your child knows that behavior is unacceptable and can bring serious consequences at home, school and in the community, according to Kids Health.

The organization said to make sure that:

• Your child understands you will not tolerate bullying at home or anywhere else
• Teach your child to treat others with respect and that it is wrong to ridicule differences like race, religion, appearance, special needs, gender and economic status.
• Invest yourself in learning about your child’s social life to see what or who could be influencing their behavior
• Encourage good behavior with positive reinforcement
• Communicate with the school to develop a plan, which could encourage the child to take accountability

The organization said that this behavior starts at home, so it is important to set a good example and intervene if actions and words become harmful between siblings.

To learn more about bullying prevention and to find resources, visit stopbullying.gov.