Parent Talk

Each week, our Parents Council of experts takes your questions, gives advice and shares solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

This week’s question is:

What are some steps parents should take if they believe their child is being bullied at school? And, how should you tell your child to deal with the situation?

Safia Sattaur:

I think the first thing parents should do is speak with their child about the situation and get a clear understanding of what is going on. Although this may put your child at greater risk of being bullied, I think it is important for the parents and the child being bullied to have a meeting with school administration and the bully and his/her parents. 

While bullying may never fully go away, educating children on the effect it has on others may be the key to reducing the amount of incidents.

Judy Vincent:

I would have to assume the parents should immediately request a meeting with the teacher as well as the principal of the school. Schools are now taking a very strict discipline policy and speaking outwardly about the issue throughout the school and in the classes. 

I think you should be honest with your child, explain that this is not acceptable behavior and that you will do everything to see that it’s stopped. Children do not have the right to bully.