How to Respond to Bullies for Elementary Students
One reason some families (like ours) choose homeschooling is that of bullying in schools. Unfortunately, there will be bullies in all walks of life, but we can teach our children how to respond to bullies.
Here are a few tips to help.
Know the difference between rude behavior, being mean, and bullying.
Some people are just plain rude. They say things without malicious intent, but they come out, well, kind of nasty. Think of someone saying they weren’t hungry enough to eat a meal you slaved over or they think you look tired. For our kids, this could be another child not picking them for a team or saying their hat looks funny.
Meanness is when someone says something with the intent to hurt someone, and not done consistently. For adults or children, this could be someone calling you an inappropriate name one or two times.
Bullying is about intent and repetition. Repeated behavior with the intention to hurt someone is bullying. When kids are consistently made fun of or excluded because they are “different,” this could be bullying.
Stand up.
If your child is bullied, encourage them to stand off for themselves. Our children need to know this does not mean raising their fists or fighting physically. Telling their bully to stop, remaining confident, and sometimes just walking away can make a difference. Bullies want to see their victims hurting. Your child may be in pain, but it’s important not to argue with the bully.
Tell someone.
Standing up for yourself is hard to even in adulthood. Tell your child that you want them to come to them or a trusted adult if bullied. Explain the difference between tattling and reporting bullying behavior. There is a difference. Tattling is whining about things not going one’s way. Reporting bullying behavior could save lives and get your child and even the bully the help they need.
Dealing with bullies as an elementary student can be scary. Ultimately, we decided homeschooling was best for Charlie and our family. However, knowing what to do when confronted with bullies will not only help our son but other elementary students. Always keep the lines of communication open with your child about bullying and kindness.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
