Bullying is very common in schools and most of us would have such experiences where we could not do anything to stop the bully. They can harass the students and make their life hell. This is why it is important to know a few tricks to deal with bullies in schools.
How to Deal with Bullies at Schools
Dealing with bullies in school can be mainly troublesome for the kids. It can make your children feel hurt, fearful, and depressing. This could lead to some very bad consequences. For example, your child may find it hard to concentrate and then you’d have to go for a Do-My-Essay service to help them with their school essays. So, your children should know about how to handle bullies. Here are some tips:
1. React in the first instance itself
Most bullies carry on with even more fierceness when they find that the victim is helpless and scared to react. Therefore, never give the bully a chance to take you for granted. When you see that the bully is hell bent on making your life a hell and feel that he/she can thrive if you do not react, retort at the first instant itself. Be very firm and tell the bully sternly to back off. Do not portray yourself as a weakling who will take everything lying down. Bullies have a great preference for such people and target them without fail. By reacting in the first instance, you will break the bully’s impression of you. Once the bully understands that you are capable of protecting yourself, he will back off and will not trouble you again.
2. Ignore the bully
Bullies always aim at making the victim very uncomfortable and harass the victim to the point of exhaustion. When they find that their bullying has hit the right target, they derive a crude pleasure from it. The best way to deny this enjoyment is to make yourself immune to bullying. If the bully continues to trouble you even after you have reacted, just ignore the bully as much as possible. Ignoring can also be done as the first line of defense against bullying. If the bully finds that you are not affected by his bullying in any way, it can be a punch on his ego. Remain calm and composed when he tries his best to either make you react or feel perturbed. If after repeated attempts, he cannot elicit a favorable response from you, he will back off and will soon lose interest in you.
Bullies feel contented when others suffer. Simply avoid them and don’t go anywhere near them. But don’t show them that you are avoiding them. They will take it as their success and your fear. Just hold your head high and concentrate on what you are doing.
3. Warn the bully
Bullies in school need not be left to pursue their ways. It is important to keep them well under check and if you are bold enough to confront the bully with a warning, just go ahead and do it. If this will not do the trick, your further action will put them in their place. Make sure that you let them know that if he does not stop his bullying ways, he will have to deal with a lot of trouble as you will inform his parents as well as your parents. Maybe this may not have any effect on his bullying ways. But it does not hurt to try your luck. When the bully realizes that you are bold and can keep your word, he might back off. Make sure that you are very firm and talk to him in a raised and unflinching voice as well so he gets the message and does not bully you anymore. Warning is the best way by which you can show him that you are very strong and unperturbed.
4. Retort back and learn self-defense techniques
If bullies try to abuse you verbally, you can retort back. This is a bully’s worst fear that his victim might reply back against his or her verbal attacks and others might follow their example. Then nobody would be scared of them. You can also learn simple self-defense tactics in case bullies become violent toward you. It’s better to be prepared in advance. If you need to fight, do it with all your potency and give as good as you receive. If there are more than one bully, run and look for help.
5. Inform his parents and your parents
If the bullying continues without any respite and if you feel that it has started affecting your studies and peace of mind, make sure that you do not suffer in silence. Think about involving your parents and also his parents after discussing the right way with your parents. Inform your parents about all the instances and let them decide as to whether they want to meet the bully first and have a chat with him or inform his parents or the school authorities. A better way to deal with it is to talk to the bully first before approaching his parents. Allow him time to mend his ways after which your parents might want to inform his parents.
6. Approach the school authorities
You might also want to eliminate your parents from the picture and approach the school authorities directly. You should complain against bullies to higher authorities of the school who handle these kinds of affairs. You should not feel scared or embarrassed. You can take the help of your parents and teachers for guidance and support. If bullies try to threaten you, you can take the help of local police authorities for your safety.
This is essential if you are in a boarding school and parents are not in the immediate vicinity. It is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the boarders in the absence of parents. Approach the counselor or someone else whom you find approachable and tell them in detail about the problems that you face with the bully. This will ensure that adequate measures are taken and soon the bully will be forced to stop his ways if he wants to continue studying in the same school.
How to Deal with Bullies in Elementary Schools
Research suggests that nine out of ten elementary students have been bullied. Bullying, earlier considered a usual accomplice in childhood pathway, has emerged as a serious concern with damaging consequences. Here are some ways to deal with bullies at elementary school.
1. Show your concern and care
Bullying can account for long term effects on children. Consider it serious from the beginning and reveal your concern. Talk to your child about the incidents which make him/her uncomfortable and examine the situations (which he/she finds difficult to handle). Give your assurance and support. With low self-esteem, your child may not be able to handle bullying on his/her own. By showing concern, you can enhance the confidence level which enables handling the situation better (when faced later in life).
Do not overreact and listen patiently to your child’s feelings. Do not impose blame for being bullied. Find out the way your child should deal with the situation. Try to learn as much as possible to understand the situation, and derive ways to overcome it.
2. Teach to respond and handle the situation
Educate him/her to handle the situation. In case your child cannot handle the situation, teach him/her to ask for assistance. For example, sticking with a close friend (or a group) reduces the chances of getting bullied. As soon as possible, the matter should be reported to an adult.
It is best that children learn to handle the situation on their own. It is not practical for you to be around always guarding. However, external assistance should be provided whenever needed.
3. Act on time and contact the school authority
Improve communication with the school authority. Early interference can control the situation and avoid undue damage to your child’s personality. Children are often shy and reluctant to raise the matter themselves. Schools usually have a complaint box for children to report problems. A written note/complaint can highlight the gravity of the situation, engaging the school administration for a prompt response.
A quick and alert response can restrict the matter from worsening. Visit your child’s school and discuss the matter with his/her teacher. Avoid directly contacting the offending party (the child and family members). If you fear further threat, think about involving the police. The school curriculum can include lessons for children on dealing with bullies.
4. Keep vigil and follow up
Once bullied, there are fair chances your child may get bullied again. Keep a check and vigil over your child’s activities. If he/she is not confident enough, the matter may not come to you again. Take assurance that the matter should immediately be reported (to you and/or the teacher). Look out for torn clothes, bruises, distorted utensils (like pencil box, lunch box, etc.).
Be in regular contact with the teacher and ask for frequent updates. Act a concerned guardian, highlighting your support for your child. Do not leave the matter unresolved.
5. Promote constructive interaction
Children should receive positive signals from their surroundings. Create a favorable environment for your child which boosts his/her self-confidence. Indulge in activities, like music and sports, which can enhance the persona. Encourage him/her to have a close-knit group of friends who can be relied upon.
Emphasize caring, respect and safety lessons at home so that children do not adopt destructive techniques. Bullying should be stopped right from home. Parents act as role models for children and determine their behavior considerably. Teach them ways to handle anger. Guide them to stay away from places where bullying can happen.
How to Deal with Bullies at School’s Classroom
Bullying is a problem that affects millions of school-going children who are at their receiving end. This is something that cannot be easily detected by adults, teachers and parents. Bullying can have harmful consequences. Here are some ways which can help you deal with bullies in the classroom.
1. Always confide in an adult
If you have been bullied either verbally or physically, it is important for you to confide in an adult whom you trust. There are a lot of people in the school as well such as the principal, teachers and lunchroom helpers who can help you put an end to the bullying. Most of the times bullies stop, once they find out that the teachers know about their activities. Telling an adult is not tattling, but it is a gesture that will put an end to the torturous activities of the class bully. Even talking it out with your friend or sibling can be useful with their helpful suggestions. Put an end to bullying by reporting to someone at school to punish the bully without worrying about the consequences. The bully might vent out his anger at you for having told the principal. Do not appease them by staying mum. You should never feel embarrassed of being in such a situation and confiding in an adult would be the best way to get you out of this daily trauma.
2. Put on a brave front and stand tall
When you are frightened of a person, it is best you do not let that come on your face. In front of a bully, you might not be feeling brave, but do try to put on a brave front. Stand tall and strong which will tell the bully to stop messing with you. If the bully persists then confidently and in a loud tone tell the bully to stop it. Walk away from the scene without indulging in further banter. If the bully insists on you doing something that you don’t like, make your dissent obvious. If you end up doing whatever they ask of you, then you are likely to be bullied all the time. Bullies normally pick on kids who are weaker than them in all respects. Being strong and brave would make the bully give up. Ignore the bully and his hurtful comments by showing that it least bothers you.
3. Always try to feel good about yourself
Having a feel-good factor about yourself is very important. You must not get demoralized, if a bully criticizes you about your appearance, religious beliefs or any other thing. No one is perfect, so believe in yourself and learn to love yourself. Do not be a couch potato and eat healthy. Not only would you look your best, but it would also improve you mentally. Do things that help you feel good like taking a shower before rushing off for school which would help you stay fresh at school.
4. Find a pal in your class
It is most probable that a bully won’t attack you if you are with someone. So, try to have a friend in the class who can accompany you to the places where the bully most likely attacks you. May be the bully has the better of you when you leave the class for water or perhaps tries to attack you when you are in the washroom. Having a friend to accompany you, would reduce the likelihood of the bully encountering you. Likewise, offer the same kind of help to other classmates who are suffering from bullies. If you happen to see someone being bullied in class, try to get involved and stick up for the affected student and try to end bullying. If things go out of hand, go and inform a teacher to put an end to it. Mutual help in countering bullying is very important if you want to deal with it effectively.
