Does your child have a tendency to pick on other children? Is he constantly getting into fights at school? Could your child possibly be a bully?
Signs That Your Child May Be a Bully:
When you realize that your child is a bully or a “budding” bully, you need to address the problem as soon as possible. Examine your child’s behavior as objectively as possible. Why has your child chosen to be a bully? (Because it is a choice.) Is this behavior he has seen modeled at home? Or has she been the victim of a bully and decided to retaliate by picking on someone else? There is some underlying problem or your child would not be intimidating other children. Please try to find the reason so you can find the solution. Your support and understanding is vital in making long-term positive changes in behavior.
Explain to your child other ways of handling feelings of aggression, anger, or rage. (See section on anger.) You also need to establish consequences that will be given at home in addition to any punishment received for misbehavior at school. (You must follow through with these consequences.) Your child does not have to like everyone. But no one has the right to be cruel or abusive to others.
Your child probably is suffering from low self-esteem. Do self-esteem building exercises with him/her. Click here to learn more about Self-Esteem.
Click here for 10 Easy Steps to Self-Esteem
***Just a little tip for adults-- If a child is a chronic bully, he will probably grow up to be an adult bully. Research shows that aggression maybe as stable as IQ.