Remind your child to activate their radKID plan for bullying: Avoid-Ignore-Move Away-Ask/Tell Them to STOP - Leave (using block, run tell if necessary) and Tell a Trusted Adult.

We know that bullies tend to pick on people who they can get a reaction from; they choose kids who get upset and who take the teasing personally. They also look for kids who won't stand up for themselves, or who they view as someone they can overpower. Telling is an important part of the plan because it lets the child know that there is a team in place and they are not alone. Telling will happen a lot sooner if the bullied child has a level of comfort and expectation of what is going to happen when they tell.

Take time now to let your children know what to expect when they tell you they are being bullied

It's critical to let your child know that being bullied is not their fault.

It's nothing that they have done wrong. It's the bully's fault and the changes need to be made in the bully not in your child.

Remind your child of the differences in Telling vs. Tattling.

Telling is to help and Tattling is to get someone in trouble and that by "Telling" the bully will get the help they need to change whatever is going on inside him/her.

Let them know that you will listen to what he/she has to say and be supportive when he/she is talking.

If you are upset or angry, that it's at the situation, not at him/her.

Because no one has the right to hurt them. Try not to over react. When you react too strongly to what your child is saying, he/she might stop talking because he's afraid he's going to upset you more and he/she needs to be able to count on you for "rational thought."

Finally, Don't ask your child why he's being bullied.

That implies that he/she knows what the bully is thinking. It doesn't matter why. It's not acceptable. Don't try to find a reason for it; there is no good reason or excuse for what's happening. If your child is being bullied, he/she is the victim. Ask instead what the circumstances are and focus on developing a plan with your child that he/she believes has merit and will work.

Communication between you and your child during this time is essential and can be an opportunity to build resiliency and a trusted partnership between you both. Together you can make a difference.

Read More... Talking to your Child about Bullying: What Parents Need to Know