We all remember the age-old Leave It to Beaver scene where Beaver comes home with a black-eye thanks to town bully, Lumpy Rutherford. We take many of our lessons on dealing with bullies from Ward Cleaver’s parenting method– an inspirational speech and a raw stake on the eye will surely smooth everything over by the next episode.
Real life bullying can be much more of a challenge to handle, and as we recently discussed, bullying can come in many forms. You may find yourself asking the tough question- “What do I do if my child is being bullied?” Here are a few practical tips for handling this this situation:
- Approach the situation gently. Make sure your child knows this is not his or her fault and that you are there to help. Convey that you aren’t angry or disappointed in them and work to open up the gateway for conversation that could lead to the source or the solution.
- Seek help. Talk to your child’s teachers and coaches to make sure they are on the same page. Discuss specifics and work together to form a plan.
- Support your child with Scripture. There are countless teachable opportunities that come with this situation. Use stories like that of Joseph in Genesis or passages of scripture like Colossians 3:2, Colossians 3:12-17, James 1:2-4, and John 15, just to name a few.
What tips do you have for helping your kids or kids in your ministry who are being bullied? What else does Scripture say about this topic? Share with us!