Mom Talk: Bullying on the School Bus

My daughter's friend gets picked on while riding the bus to school. She gets her hair pulled, items taken from her and mean things said to her. She’s constantly in tears and is 5 years old.

The school bus is an easy place to start bullying. The bus driver is focused on the road and isn’t watching what’s going on, and the kids know that.

Elementary school buses have such a wide range of children riding. Kindergartners who are barely out of preschool age have to navigate on their own with 10 year olds who are pre pubescent.

Here are some tips for parents:

• Listen to your children and don’t dismiss them when they tell you about being bullied.
• Parents need to be role models and educators to teach children how to react appropriately in bullying situations.
• Report the information to the school principal, and find out what the school’s going to do about your child’s situation.
• Document the bullying that has happened. In writing is the best. Write down names, times, places, etc.
• Do not aggressively confront the bus driver or the school principal. It’s not their fault that the child is getting bullied. They will be part of your solution or resolve.
• If your child has been physically or sexually assaulted, you must report this to the police.

There is a lot of research and help for dealing with bullies. If your child is being bullied in school, please contact the school principal who will surely provide you with information and help.

Has your child been bullied? How have you dealt with it? What advice do you have to share?