It’s always important to take bullying seriously and to guide your child in how to respond when it happens to them or those around them. Experienced family and children’s counselor Julie Lowe offers tips for discerning the nature of the concerning behavior, gives practical advice for the best ways to respond, and points parents to the wisdom from God that comes as we ask him for guidance and help. She encourages parents to start by being a source of comfort and understanding, helping a child identify safe people to go to, and role-playing appropriate responses to mean behavior. Reminding children that their value comes from Jesus and that he is always with them will help counteract the temptation for retribution, mishandling of conflict, or falling into isolation.
Julie Lowe, MA, is a faculty member at CCEF and a licensed professional counselor with nearly twenty years of counseling experience. Julie is also a registered play therapist and has developed a play therapy office at CCEF to better serve families, teens, and children. Julie is the author of Child Proof and Building Bridges, as well as the minibooks Helping Your Anxious Child and Teens and Suicide. Julie and her husband, Greg, have six children and serve as foster and adoptive parents.