Types of bullying

• Physical: hitting, punching, shoving, spit on

• Verbal: calling names, teasing, laughing, hurtful words, manipulation, subject of rumors

• Being excluded on purpose, isolation, ignoring, damaging property, stealing books/homework

• Cyber bullying: posting embarrassing pictures/videos on social media, mean comments on social media, forums, texts, apps.
   

Warning signs of bullying

• Keeping to themselves more often

• Unexplainable injuries

• Frequently complaining of being sick or having headaches

• Skipping meals

• Declining grades

• Avoiding social situations

• Depression and/or anxiety

• Talking about harming themselves
   

How to help your child if they are bullied

• Drop what you’re doing and listen to them and believe them

• Give ideas on how to respond to bullies

• Ask them what they want to feel safe

• Assure them that it’s not their fault

• Get the school involved ASAP

• DO NOT tell them to ignore it or physically fight back

• DO NOT blame your child for being bullied
   

What to do if your child is the bully

• Let them firmly know that bullying will not be tolerated

• Set boundaries/rules and stick to them

• Try to figure out the root cause of their bullying (some do it to “fit in” or they act out because something else is going on)

• Ask the school to help/get involved