Bullying can be a difficult thing to understand, especially if you were never bullied as a child. However, for your teen it can be very devastating. Your teen not only feels hurt, but can often feel lonely, depressed, scared, and undermined. Bullying is not something that should be a rite of passage for anyone. If you think your teen is being bullied, there are steps you can take to deal with the problem.

What is bullying?

Harassment can take many aggressive forms, such as verbal, physical, or relational. When girls bully, it is usually verbal, while boys use threats and physical actions. Whichever way it’s used, it can make your teen feel:

• Hurt, angry, helpless, scared, isolated and ashamed. Long-term bullying can often make teens feel suicidal.

• Physical health declines; it can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Why does bullying happen?

Bullying is not uncommon; Research suggests that 25% of kids experience it in their lifetime, so your teen may not be the only one. Bullies often attack someone based on their social standing in a peer group or their appearance.

Bullies tend to target people who are seen as “different” or who may not fit in with a certain crowd. It could be due to the way your teen dresses or acts. It could be as simple as being the new kid in school.

Tips for overcoming bullying

There is no simple formula for handling a bully. You may have to try many strategies before you find the one that works. However, maintaining self-control when dealing with a bully is key, as a bully is usually looking for a reaction.

• Understand what bullying is aboutWalking away from a stalker is the best course of action. Bullies seek to control your emotions. By walking away you show that you are the one in control.
• Always report bullying to an adult.Bullying can often turn into physical violence if it goes unreported. Adults have more power to help and can usually remove the situation without the harasser knowing they were reported.

You may have to do this more than once, as bullies can be repetitive.

• Build a support system with people who don’t bully – Having people in your life that you can turn to for support and encouragement can help you a lot. Find friends who share the same interests and values ​​as you. Share your feelings with a parent or counselor if things get tough.

What Parents and Teachers Can Do to Stop Bullying

You may not realize it, but you can play a huge role in stopping teen bullying. By creating stress-free environments at home and at school, you can ease the anxiety associated with bullying. Bullying is a widespread problem, and yet there are still many misconceptions that both teachers and parents have about bullying.

How to spot the signs that a teen is being bullied

Bullying isn’t always obvious to adults, as it often happens in the hallways or on the way home from school. Bullies will usually try to hide their behavior from an adult, not only that, but victims often hide evidence due to embarrassment.

Taking action to stop bullying

• Talk to your teen about bullying – Just talking about bullying with your teen can make the anxiety go away. Listen to your child’s feelings without judgment and be supportive.
• Limit the things that go to school – If your teen is experiencing bullying because of what they have, eliminate the problem by sending a packed lunch instead of money or leave all devices like phones and iPods at home.
• find some help – If your child is afraid of a bully, the last thing you want is for them to miss school because of the problem. Make sure teachers and coaches know your child is being bullied. No teen should have to deal with the problem alone.
• Make sure your teen is not isolated – Teens who have a good group of friends are often better equipped to handle bullying. Find even more ways to increase your social circle through groups or clubs.

If you are seeking help with your teen’s bullying and need guidance, please contact one of our life coaches. They will provide you with strategic tools to help you get a support system for your teen and help you through the steps to regain control of the situation.