How to Help Your Child Deal with Peer Taunting

Because we love our children so much, it can be just as devastating to us as it is to them when they have to deal with peer taunting. There are ways in which you can help your child deal with peer taunting and here are a few.

One way to help your child deal with peer taunting is to teach them to be comfortable with themselves. Though it can sometimes be hard for your child to find comfort in themselves during such an awkward age; it is important that you help them to do so. Explain to your child that everyone goes through a time when certain features or body parts may grow quicker than others, or when they may develop differently than their peers. Point out your child's good attributes,whether they be physical, academic, athletic, or some other skill they possess. You should make a special effort to remind your child of how special they are. Let them know that they should be comfortable with who they are.

Another way to help your child deal with peer taunting is to inform your child of the effects of ignoring their taunters. Your child probably doesn't already know that if he or she ignores people who taunt them, that the taunting will more than likely stop. Teach your child that children who taunt others only do so because they are uncomfortable with themselves and they feel a need to put someone down in order to make themselves feel better. You should also inform your child that if they do not respond to their taunters and act as though their time is being wasted and will unfortunately move on to another victim. Explaining to your child why some children taunt others will help your child cope; and teaching them to ignore the taunting will stop it all together.

Another way to help your child deal with peer taunting is to encourage your child to join school clubs, teams, or groups. Your child joining a school club, team, or group will help them to form an alliance with others with whom they have things in common. Through this alliance, they will have friends to help them feel better about the taunting they endure. Having friends will help them to care a lot less and not be affected by it.

As a last resort to help your child deal with peer taunting is to inform authorities. If all should fail and the taunting from your child's peers is causing them stress and depression, or is making it difficult for them to be successful in school; then you must go to school authorities. Though this will sometimes cause your child more trouble, you trust the adults at your child's school to keep them protected. If the taunting just will not stop then you must get your child's teachers and principal involved. Taunting is a form of violence and the school should not allow it. The school should be able to punish the taunters or organize a meeting between you and the other parents if necessary to resolve the issue.