Attention Parents!! When your child comes to you about bullying, TAKE it seriously and follow up. Fatal mistake parents make is expecting the school to handle the matter or minimize the bullying. WRONG answer. In my experience, this is not the case and the incident is often dismissed shortly after it's discussed, which can cause great detriment to your child, including suicide. 

Types of Bullying

• Verbal (name-calling, words, statements, etc.,)
• Cyber-bullying (texting, emails, posting things)
• Prejudicial bullying (bullying based on race, sexual orientation, and religion)
• Physical (hitting, kicking, flicking, slapping, pinching, shoving, etc.,)
• Relational Aggression (spreading rumors, manipulating friend groups, ostracized from the group)
• Threats 
• Sexual Bullying (sexual comments, gestures, showing pictures, touching, etc)

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Here are some tips for parents

• File a complaint to the school in writing
• Follow up with school and teachers to see how the matter is being monitored
• Do NOT allow your child to be punished for being bullied (changing their lunch, classes, etc.,)
• If changes are made for your child check-in with them to see how they feel about these changes
• Continue to check in with your child and pay attention to their mood and behavior 
• Don't dismiss your child’s behavior
• Do what is best for your child despite what they want (changing schools, following up with the school, contacting the district, etc.,)
• Contact the district in writing regarding the matter if it isn't being addressed