Tip Sheets
PARENTS & FAMILY
What Family Members Can Do
Bullying can be difficult to deal with, and if a love one is involved, it can be especially tough. What can you do to help?
1. Learn as much as you can about bullying among children and youth.
- Read through Tip Sheets prepared for this Campaign. Some that are most appropriate for family members are:
- Read about cyberbullying among children and youth
- Visit the Campaign's Starting a Campaign page to find books, videos, and other materials prepared especially for parents and other adult family members. You might find it helpful to print out our Tip Sheet on Tips for Selecting Materials from the Resource List.
- Take a look at the 12 Webisodes on this Web site, which depict children involved in typical bullying problems at school. Watch the Webisodes with children or youth in your home and discuss them. Ask them if they have seen similar instances of bullying at school or in the community.
- Remember that actions sometimes speak louder than words. Be sure that you treat others in a respectful way and that you don't inadvertently model bullying behavior yourself.
- Do not bully others
- Are helpful and kind to children and youth who are bullied
- Report bullying that they experience or witness to you or other adults
- Talking openly with children and youth in your home is important, but often children are reluctant to talk with adults about bullying that they've experienced or taken part in. Be watchful for behaviors and other signs that your child might be involved in bullying.
- Read Warning Signs that a Child is Being Bullied for a list of possible warning signs that a child is being bullied.
- Read about Children Who Bully for more about characteristics of children who bully, risk factors for bullying, and common myths about children who bully.
- If you suspect that a child in your family is being bullied, read What To Do If Your Child Is Being Bullied for information on possible next steps to take. The Tip Sheet How to Talk with Educators at Your Child's School: Tips for Parents of Bullied Children may also may be helpful.
- If you suspect that a child in your family is the victim of electronic or online bullying, review this information on cyberbullying.
- If you think a child in your family has bullied (or is continuing to bully) siblings or peers, review the fact sheet on Children Who Bully for suggestions about how best to address this behavior.
- If your child has been a witness or bystander to bullying, find out more about the bullying incident. Discuss with your child how they can help another child who is bullied. The What Can Students/Youth Do To "Lend a Hand" Tip Sheet provides some tips for how children and youth can lend a hand to stop bullying. Depending on where the bullying took place and its severity, report the bullying school authorities, parents, or other adults in charge.
5. Work with school personnel and other adults in your community to prevent and reduce bullying.
All adults in a community have a responsibility to help keep kids safe and stop bullying among children and youth. How can you get involved?
- Work with others in your community to raise awareness about bullying.
- Encourage local broadcasters to play TV/Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) about bullying. Show these free PSAs at meetings in your community.
- Download and distribute free fact sheets from the Campaign's Resource Kit.
- Become a resource to local schools. Share with them resources from the Campaign. Point educators to the Educators page. They also might find the following Tip Sheets particularly helpful:
