Take time to relax every day, even for 10 minutes. This can be time with friends or family, or by yourself. Take a walk, take deep breaths, or do something else you enjoy. Encourage your child to take time to relax too.
Give your child love and support. Remind your child that you believe in them and love them. Let them share their feelings, and offer support when things are hard. Praise your child for positive thinking! Be a role model and show your child how you work to lower your stress.
Find people, places, and resources that can help you and your child lower stress. For example, look for places to walk and be active (like a park, YMCA or community center) and places to get help with food or housing issues (like food pantries, WIC offices, farmers markets, and housing support programs).
My child is bullied. What can I do to help?
Listen
Take your child’s concerns seriously. Listen without blaming.
Help
Help your child think of places where they feel safe and people to be with who they trust.
Care
Remind your child that you love them and care about their safety. Bullying is never their fault.
Support
Work with your child’s teachers and others at the school (like the nurse and the principal) to understand what is happening, why, and how to stop it.
Learn
Get more information at StopBullying.gov
Help children feel better about themselves.
Who can you talk to when you feel sad? Who makes you feel good?
Where do you feel happy or calm? Where can you go and what can you do to feel better when you are sad?
What makes you feel good about yourself?
What do you feel proud of?
Make sure children have time to do the things that make them feel good and be with the people who make them feel good.
Watch videos on bullying
What is bullying?
What can I do about bullying?
How can parents help if their child is being bullied?
Feeling good about yourself.
For more about bullying, stress and self care, here are a few online resources to check out: