My child is being bullied at school, and I’m not sure what to do

EmilyClarkPro
Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:31:50 +0000

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, Natalie. It’s heartbreaking when our children hurt. Here are some steps that can help:

Document everything. Keep a detailed log of incidents, including dates, what happened, who was involved, and any witnesses. This creates a paper trail.

Escalate within the school. If the teacher didn’t help, go to the principal. If the principal is unhelpful, go to the superintendent or school board. Schools have a legal duty to protect students from bullying.

Request a meeting. Ask for a formal meeting with the school counselor, your child’s teacher, and ideally the principal to create a written safety plan.

Teach Emma coping strategies. Help her identify safe adults at school, practice confident body language, and have simple responses like “Stop, I don’t like that” ready.

Consider therapy. A school counselor or child therapist can help Emma process what she’s experiencing and build resilience.

Know your rights. Research your state’s anti-bullying laws and district policies - schools are REQUIRED to intervene.

Connect with other parents. You may discover others have experienced the same thing.

You are her best advocate. Don’t give up. Has anything specific happened that makes you most concerned?