When your child is being bullied, it's hard to stand back and do nothing.
It's hard for the child to continuously enter that negative environment and continue to be bullied.
As parents, we seem to take it just as personally when we see our kids struggling.
That's understandable.
Many times when we were younger, we didn't know how to deal with it either! Here are some ways you can help your child.

• Make sure your child knows he/she can confide in you.
  If you are quick to give solutions and don't listen completely, this can make your child frustrated.
  Listen attentively.
  Sometimes that is all they want.
  Lending your ear when the bullies start in on your children is very helpful to them.
  If they know they can come to you, in confidence, it will take an enormous burden off their shoulders.
  No need to create more stress on top of the bully issue.
  
• Explain to your child the "chain of command" if the bullying is happening at school.
  Make sure they are going to their teacher and explain the concern.
  If you always go in to fight your child's battle, you will teach them that someone will always step in to help them, so they may not even try.
  While it's true that you will help, especially while they are very young, they still need to know how to follow the chain of command while in their school environment.
  If they have seen the teacher and is still having issues, they can move on to the Principal.
  If that hasn't yielded positive results, then you can step in.
  Give your child the chance to speak up first.
  
• If it's not happening at school or if you have spoken to the school authorities and you haven't seen results, it may be time to speak to the bully's parents.
  This can happen in the Principal's office, if at school.
  Meeting there gives everyone a "common ground" to openly talk.
  You could also choose to meet at a restaurant where you are in public so there's less of a chance for the conversation to get heated.
  Either way, be sure you approach the parents in as much of a non-confrontational way as possible.
  You will be able to get more accomplished if both parents come up with a game-plan together.
  
• If the school continues to be a breeding ground for bully interactions or the neighborhood you live in continues to cause your child problems, don't rule out changing schools or moving, altogether.
  It may seem like a challenging situation at first but the benefits will outweigh those challenges.
  Making those changes will, more than likely, create a peaceful environment and your child will be able to thrive.
  Sometimes "just dealing" with a situation like this is not appropriate.
  

These are a few ways to get you started in helping your child to view his or her world differently.
I'd love to be able to teach you how to do more!