This guide was designed for our children and parents living with vitiligo. It offers useful tips, some of which you may already be aware of. The key takeaway is to speak up if you are being bullied; no one should endure mistreatment in silence. If your child is in school, get involved in their classroom. With the teacher’s approval, consider making a presentation to raise awareness about your child’s skin condition. Thank you for supporting our initiatives!
Bullying is a significant issue, and many schools report that it occurs daily. Bullies come in various forms, and most people encounter them at some point in their lives. The encouraging news is that bullying has gained national attention, prompting schools to take a strong stance against it.
Here are some effective strategies to help you avoid becoming a target of bullying and to address bullying that may have already begun:
- **Buddy Up for Safety**
A group of friends is less likely to be targeted than a child who is alone. It’s wise to use the buddy system—stick together with a friend whenever possible, whether on the school bus, in the cafeteria, or anywhere bullies might be lurking.
- **Keep Calm and Carry On**
Stay composed. If a bully strikes, your best response is to remain calm, disregard hurtful comments, or assertively tell the bully to stop, then walk away. Bullies thrive on causing upset, so a child who remains unbothered is less likely to attract their attention.
- **Remove the Temptation**
If the bully is after your lunch money or electronic devices, consider bringing a packed lunch from home instead of cash, and leave gadgets at home to minimize temptation.
- **Ignore the Bully**
Project bravery, walk away, and ignore the bully. Walking away or using humor to deflect aggression can often discourage the bully, as they frequently lose interest when their target does not respond.
- **Talk About It**
If you are experiencing bullying, confide in your parents and family members, who may share their own experiences. Open discussions can empower your parents to engage with the school about its policies and how staff can help resolve the situation.
- **Don’t Fight the Battle Alone**
Your parents can approach the bully’s parents, which can be helpful, but it’s often best to do so with a school official, like a counselor, present to mediate the conversation.
*In our case our organization is often sought out by parents to come and address the class where the student is being bullied to bring awareness to the class.
The good news is that because bullying has made national headlines, schools are taking a strong-stand against #bullying.
