Greensboro, NC -- Telling the difference between bullying and a disagreement or humor can be difficult.
Executive Director of Win-Win Resolutions, Debra Vigliano explains how you can recognize bullying.
How do I know what I'm witnessing is bullying and not just a fight between kids or an argument between coworkers? What are the hallmarks?
1. Put-Downs at Home &/or Lack of Nurturance of Self as a Good Person
2. Lack of Belief in Self-Ability to Interact Well with Others 3. Intimidating Stares, Isolation from Others, Lack of Participation
4. Writing, Drawing that Shows Confusion, Anger, Isolation 5. Notes of Insult toward Others; Jeering
6. Verbal Slams & Put Downs Toward Others
7. Pushing, Shoving, Hitting of Others
8. Combination of All Previous Behaviors
9. Fighting Frequently
10. Removal of Individual due to Bullying Behavior
How can I tell if my son or daughter is being bullied (though I never witness it first hand)? Are there signs in my child's attitude, emotional state etc that I should be looking for?
• Grades Have Dropped
• Child's Friends Have Changed or Diminished or Child is Often Alone
• Child Does Not Have or Make Opportunities to Play/Socialize with His/Her Peers
• Child Has Been Down or Depressed for Some Time (2 - 6 Months)
• Child Has Been Argumentative At Home
• You Have Not Been Able to Talk with Your Child in Weeks Because of Busy-ness or Seeming Lack of Interest on His/Her Part
• Child Seems Angry A Lot &/or Exhibits a Bad Attitude
• Child Has Experienced a Deep Disappointment That May Not Have Been Dealt With, Such As: Parent Arguing, Divorce, or Lack of one Parent or Both Parents
• Child Has Limited Support System
• Discovery of Drug Use or Possible Use By Your Child
If Your Child Has Exhibited 3-5 of the Above Behaviors in a 6 Month Time Period Then He or She is At-Risk for Bullying or School Violence
And what about adults? How can I tell if a friend is being bullied at work, by a coworker or boss, or in a relationship? Are there warning signs?
People, regardless of age, will display a lot of the same signs described in the previous answers.
My kid is a bully...What do I do when I see my child acting like a bully to other kids or even adults? What steps do I take?
Talk to them about their behavior, and let them know it is not okay with you for them to act so aggressively. Find out what is going on behind this aggressive behavior. Make an appointment with the school counselor to explore this.