Elizabeth A. Ozalas, MA NCC LPC Loudoun Counseling, LLC Golf Vista Plaza Suite 110 Lansdowne, VA (703) copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Look for symptoms  Unexplained reluctance to go to school  Fearfulness or unusual anxiety  Sleep disturbances and nightmares  Vague physical complaints  Belongings that are missing or come home ripped copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Ask the Right Questions - Do not ask them outright - How are they spending lunchtime? - What it’s like walking to school or riding the bus? - Are there any children at school who are bullies? copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Listen and Understand - Stay calm - Allow your child plenty of time to express their feelings and validate - Be a good listener - Make it clear that it’s not your child’s fault and they made the right choice by reporting the incident copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Teach How to Avoid  Help your child avoid the situations that expose him/her to bullying  Look for ways to find new friends  Encourage Speaking Out  Encourage your child to tell you, a teacher, or another adult when they are having a problem  Explain the difference between tattling and telling copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Advocate For Your Child  Work with school authorities and teachers  Treat the school as your ally  Increase School Safety  Suggest closer supervision in hallways, lunchrooms, on the playground  Your child has a right to feel safe at school copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Use school personnel and other parents as resources  Peer Mediation  Consult Your Child  Grounding in assertive behavior  Teach by example  Encourage empathy  Roleplay copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Things to avoid saying to child  Just ignore it  Fight back (bullying will last longer and become more severe)  Do not ignore your child’s report  Do not expect kids to work it out on their own copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

 Evidence of mental health symptoms  Depression  Anxiety  Substance Abuse  Changes in behavior - school refusal, loss of interest in activities, isolation, defiance, anger/irritability, eating/sleeping changes, etc. copyright Loudoun Counseling, LLC

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