Question:

I just found out that my 9 year old daughter is in a bullying group. I think these girls are pressuring my daughter and she has turned on a good friend and according to the friend they are pressuring her. How should I handle this without getting to angry. I want to stop the friendship with these girls but I don't want to pick her friends... Help!!!!!

Answer:

You are experiencing one of the most common problems on school campuses around the United States. Bullying is a serious problem and girls can be especially cruel to their targets. Being angry is a normal reaction and I would be concerned if you were not upset by this. Now, however, you have to direct that anger in a positive direction and help your daughter understand the damage that bullying can do both to the one being bullied as well as the one doing the bullying.

Focus on the Family has done much research in the area of bullying and has some tremendous resources on their website. I would encourage you to investigate what they offer.(www.family.org)

You may even want to talk with the teacher or school counselor to make him/her aware of this problem. Kids need to be safe and as a parent, if your child is bullying another child, she is creating an unsafe atmosphere, both physically and emotionally for the one being bullied.

 

Don't be afraid to step in and give some guidelines to who your daughter may spend her time with. Not only will this protect the friend who was hurt but will also give your daughter a better opportunity to make wise and right decisions when choosing friends.