Want to Help Your Kid Handle Bullying

I wish I could tell you bullying is something our kids won’t ever have to face. But as a mom who was once the quiet, awkward kid who always picked last and called names I didn’t even understand back then, I know it all too well. I was bullied. I was body shamed. And for a long time, I carried that weight quietly.

But here’s what changed: I grew up, I healed, and now I’m raising my kids differently. I’m teaching them to handle bullying with strength, not silence.

Let me share with you the things I tell my children, the conversations we’ve had over bedtime stories and morning breakfast. These are not just “tips”—they are part of my healing and my promise to my younger self.

1. Talk Early. Talk Often.

The earlier you start these conversations, the easier it gets for kids to open up. I ask my kids every day, “Did anything make you feel bad or weird today?” That’s it. No big lecture, just an invitation to talk. And when they do, I listen without interrupting.

2. Teach Them It’s Not Their Fault

This one hits home for me. For years, I thought I was the problem. My looks, my weight, my silence. It wasn’t true. Bullies often lash out from their own insecurities. I tell my kids that if someone tries to bring them down, it says more about that person than it does about them.

3. Role-Play Responses Together

This helped my daughter once when a classmate started teasing her about her glasses. We practiced what she could say in a calm voice, how to walk away confidently, and when to ask for help. Kids feel stronger when they know what to say, even if they don’t always use it.

4. Address Body Shaming Head-On

Body shaming is bullying, and it’s everywhere. Whether it’s a passing comment from a relative or a mean meme shared at school, I tell my kids this: Your body is your home, and you treat it with kindness—so does everyone else. And if they don’t? You set your boundary and you walk away.

5. Build Their Confidence Daily

I don’t wait for a bullying incident to happen. Every day, I try to give them little wins—“You were so brave in the school play,” or “I loved how you stood up for your friend.” Confidence is armor. And kids who believe in themselves are harder to break.

6. Keep a Watchful Eye Online

The internet can be amazing, but it’s also a breeding ground for cyberbullying. I check in often—not as a spy, but as a protector. We talk about safe behavior online, why it’s okay to block someone who makes them feel uncomfortable, and how screenshots can be used if things escalate.

7. Know When to Step In

I believe in letting my kids fight some battles—but not all. If bullying is persistent or affecting their mental health, I don’t hesitate to talk to teachers, counselors, or school staff. You’re not being dramatic—you’re being a parent.

I can’t erase what happened to me in my childhood. But I can transform it into a life lesson for my children. If you’ve gone through it too, let your experience be your strength—not your scar.

Together, we’re raising a generation that knows how to handle bullying with confidence, courage, and compassion.