Could a Child in Your Care Be a Bully?

3 Million Students are Absent Each Month Because They Feel Unsafe at School

Here is the trailer of the documentary Bully. Be sure to visit the official Bully web site for tons of information on ending bullying.



The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act designates the first full week in October of each year as a “Week of Respect” in the New Jersey.

Since it's a Week of Respect in New Jersey schools there is no better time to ask yourself if a child in your care is a bully. Could a child in your care be a bully but you and the parents don't know it?

To help determine if a child is a bully ask yourself these questions:

1. Does it make the child feel better to hurt other people or take their things?

2. Does the child feel bigger and stronger than other people their age? Do they sometimes use their size and strength to get their way?

3. Does the child seem to avoid thinking about how other people might feel? Do they ever say or do hurtful things to others?

How can you stop a child from being a bully?

1. Have the child apologize to people they have bullied, and follow it up by being friendly to them.

2. Help boost the child's self-esteem. Assist them with finding a new hobby, do volunteer work, or get involved with a sport.

3. If the child is having trouble controlling their feelings, especially anger, have them talk to a school counselor about it. Perhaps you can gently suggest to the parents the child go to therapy.