If you have children, chances are they may have dealt with a bully at school.
The National Education Association estimates that roughly 160,000 children miss school every day because they fear an attack or intimidation by another student.
Bullying is an age-old problem. Yet, these days the consequences are becoming more serious. Kids dealing with bullies can’t even find refuge at home. Thanks to the Age of Technology, social media, texting and other online formats allow bullies to continue their torture tactics beyond school, summer camp and other social groups. In fact, bullyingstatistics.org reports the fact 80 percent of high school students say they have dealt with online bullying.
Left unaddressed, the effects of bullying can be devastating and follow kids well into adulthood.
“Getting bullied isn’t the only problem,” said Mark Ten Eyck, head instructor at East West MMA in Northeast Mesa. “Loss of self-confidence and self-esteem are the long-term effects of repeated bullying.”
So, what’s a parent to do? In a perfect world, you could cover your children in bubble wrap before leaving your home. But there are far more practical measures parents can take to ensure your children are better equipped to deal with bullies.
Get educated, for starters. A myriad of bully prevention Web sites offer eye-opening information, including statistics, anti-bullying laws, support group information and more.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry offers helpful hints on its Web site. If you suspect your child is being bullied, ask him to talk to you. Remember to stay positive and accepting. Offer plenty of opportunities for your child to talk to you.
Once you talk about the issue, ask your child what he can do to resolve the situation. Then, help your child practice what to say.
One thing you should do is encourage your child not to fight back. It could only make matters worse, and your child could even face consequences for fighting at school.
“The solution has to start at home. Parents need to have a conversation and have a plan in place,” said Mark. “East West MMA offers an ongoing monthly program, which helps kids address bullying.”
What makes the program unique is the involvement of the entire family. For a child being bullied, the family support is paramount to overcoming the situation and keeping his self-confidence and self-esteem intact.
Helpful information about bullying also can be found on the following Web sites.
• www.dosomething.org/bullyreport
To learn more about East West MMA’s Bullyproof Workshop, call (480) 218-7777, or visit www.eastwestmma.org.