How to handle it when another child is bullying your child?

1. 78

   advisor4qbposted 15 years ago

   How to handle it when another child is bullying your child?

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2. 76

   Mighty Momposted 15 years ago

   Feeling a bit cocky today so will offer Mighty Mom's smartmouth retort. If another child is bullying your child, invoke the Aggression Rule of Reciprocity (ARR). While the Christian solution might be to tell your child to turn the other cheek and forgive, practical experience has taught us that this will do nothing more than incite the bully to further bullying.
   
   Here's how you nip that kind of bullying behavior right in the bud.
   You march your little Petey Picked-on over to Billy Bullier's house.
   You have both kids sit down and observe carefully.
   You then proceed to mimic exactly what BB did to PP, with you in the role of BB and BB's adult guardian in the role of PP. It works best mother to mother (or if there is no mother, a father, grandparent or foster parent will suffice).
   
   This way, Billy Bullier gets to see how ridiculous his bullying looks.
   Your child gets to see what a hero you are (yes, even Moms can be heroes). And Mrs. Bullier gets to experience the consequences of raising an overly aggressive child. As for you, you get the satisfaction of teaching everyone a lesson.
   
   Bonus points. Hopefully BB's bullying involves some form of physical violence. I always find it extra rewarding when I get to punch a bully's mother in the nose:-)!!!

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3. 78

   advisor4qbposted 15 years ago

   Thanks, Mighty Mom.  This kid has a chip on his shoulder.  I don't know where he lives, and I don't know his name.  I took my child to the library yesterday and had him working on his homework.  When I went to check on him and offer help, this kid was all in my son's face.  I walked up and asked what was going on, and this kid tells me my son flipped him off.  I asked the kid what he did to deserve to get flipped off (my son doesn't do that for no reason).  The kid said, "Oh, well it was a long time ago."  I said, "Oh, sounds like it's time to build a bridge and GET OVER IT."  He walked out of the library and sat there sulking.  I went to the school today and mentioned it to the guidance counselor, as this child is older and goes to the same school, and he was still visibly angry.  The guidance counselor said that she would take care of it.  I am a little worried because this child is a real troublemaker who hangs out with a kid that lives half a block from my house that is always being questioned by the police for beating up other children.  These kids are just BAD.  My son is softhearted and sweet, but when he flipped off the other kid, it was because the kid was harassing my son's friend that was with him at the time. 
   
   Can't we all just get along?

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