Weary Parent: Parenting Tweens & Teens

Standing Up to Bullies in Middle School

by char on May 23rd, 2007

One of the things we fear most as parents is that our child will become the victim of bullying. We come across bullies in all areas of our lives and just because we become grown ups, it doesn’t mean that all the bullies go away - they just come across a bit differently.

Joe Bruzzese, offers up these tips for middle schoolers in his latest article at Suite 101:

• Travel with a group. Bullies like to take advantage of their victims when they are alone. When you are with a group bullies lose their courage because they are afraid of what the group could do if they chose to stand up and take action.
• Ask for help. If you feel like you can’t go to a friend or adult and verbally ask them for help, try writing a short note that names the bully and what you don’t like about the way you are being treated. Remember, nothing changes unless someone knows you need help. Teachers are more aware of bullies now than they have been in the past, so think about asking a teacher for help.
• Violence isn’t the solution. You may have heard about people in middle school and high school, who used violence to stop a bully. Using violence puts everyone in danger, including you. If you are thinking about hurting someone remember how you felt about being abused. Don’t become a bully yourself.

What additional tips have you shared with your child?

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POSTED IN: Middle School