5 Signs You’re Raising A Little Bully — And How To Get Back On Track
No one ever thinks they are the parent of a bully. Unfortunately, it can happen to almost anyone.
No child is perfect. Most parents have seen their child be mean to other kids. If you’re worried your child might be a bully, there are some subtle signs you should know.
Maybe you’ve gotten a phone call from your child’s school. Your kid has pushed another kid’s face into some pasta at lunch. They have been reprimanded and are in trouble again.
Or you saw your kid be snarky at a classmate’s birthday party and heard them say snide things, like “We can see you’re a genius” or “I’m trying to picture you with a personality” to other kids.
Perhaps your child’s peers do their bidding, or you overhear another child tell their mom, “Casey says I can’t be a Sweater-Saurus at Halloween.” You wonder, “Wait, is that MY child telling other people what to do?” You think, “Heck, no, this is not happening.”
No one ever thinks of themselves as the parent of a bully; no parent wants their child to be a bully to others.
Here are five signs of bullying behavior to watch out for:
1. Lack of empathy for others
Kids who display difficulty walking in other people’s shoes or don’t display feelings of understanding around the fairness of someone’s emotions or reactions are a sign to watch for. Additionally, kids who don’t show compassion or empathy and don’t think about other people’s feelings or experiences may have a struggle in front of them.