Things you can do if your child is bullying others

  • Stay calm. Remember, the behaviour is at fault, rather than the child.
  • Make sure your child knows bullying behaviour is inappropriate and why.
  • Try to understand the reasons why your child has behaved in this way and look for ways to address problems.
  • Encourage your child to look at it from the other's perspective, for example, "how would you feel if...".
  • Help your child think of alternative paths of action.
  • Provide appropriate boundaries for their behaviour.
  • If you are asked to attend a meeting at the school about your child's behaviour, stay calm and go along with the expectation that you'll work in partnership with the school to address the bullying - try to avoid being defensive or deny your child's involvement. Remember, it is in your child's interest that the bullying behaviour is addressed.