How to Stop a Bullying
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It is a very difficult question, how to stop bullying. Bullying is a huge problem and parents need to step in and lend a hand. This is not something that kids should deal with alone. There are bullies, there are the bullied and then there are the children in between who watch things happen to others. We all need to come together in an attempt to stop bullying and everyone needs to play their part.
Those who watch on and yet do nothing are just as guilty as the kids who do the bullying. I know this seems harsh but reality is these kids are going to continue bullying unless someone acts to stop it, and it starts with one person being willing to do something about it.
Bullying is all about someone being powerful and trying to take your power away from you, and this needs to be stopped. Everyone needs to hold on to their own power. It can be very far reaching, long after the bully actually disappears, because kids tend to go over and over what the bully says to them, thus affirming put downs in their mind.
A great way to combat this is by taking the statement and repeating the opposite straight back to yourself several times over. For example if the bully says you are ugly, you should say to yourself "I'm so pretty, I'm so pretty, I'm so pretty". This will help nullify the bully's unkind words.
A simple trick to combat bullies to to prepare a list of words in advance to say when the inevitable happens. Kids need to be prepared and should even rehearse their reactions with a parent, to that when bullying occurs, the child is ready to respond immediately. Some fantastic words to use can be just one word answers for example: what? whatever... wow...
Often answers like this will render the bully speechless as they are expecting to meet with hostility. Try it and see. You don't need to use just one word answers, but if you use many words, just make sure that what you say is not putting down in return. We don't need to go there, stoop down to their level and become one of them. Our aim is to break the cycle of bullying.
The most important thing to remember is that we do not want our bully to see a reaction from us. Try to do whatever you do with a lack of emotion. That way the bully thinks we don't care and they are less likely to try the same thing again if they get no reaction from us.
So, parents, sit down with your child today and figure out a list of lines that your child can confidently use when a bully comes their way and practice saying them to each other. Hopefully this has shown you how to stop bullying in your neighbourhood, at your school, or anywhere else you may go in life.
Download How to Stop a Bullying app for learn more.
