Bullies have existed forever. They come in all forms and ages. They normally start very early on and if not dealt with, it can develop into a lifetime of unacceptable and possibly explosive behavior.

For those parents whose child is the victim of a bully, you must first assess if there really is a problem. Sometimes, kids can handle their situation without parental intervention. This would be the best case scenario but is not always possible.

If you determine that your child's safety is at risk either physically or emotionally, then it is your responsibility to take action. If it is at school, then the principle needs to be contacted as well as the teacher if they share a class.

Emotional bullying can be just as detrimental to your child's well being. It can result into a lifetime of psychological problems as well as be harmful to their ability to function at school.

Pushing or shoving your child should be handled immediately. Don't just expect your child to "fight back". This does not always solve the situation and can also result in your child being reprimanded. They do need to learn how to stand up for themselves but simply returning the physical challenge does not necessarily eradicate the need to intervene.

Having good communication with your child will help keep you up to date with what is going on with him or her. Let your child know that you can be trusted and will take action if there is a problem. Otherwise, there may be reluctance to confide in you if there is not a feeling that you will take control and actually resolve an issue. One of the things that is feared most when a child confides is retaliation from the bully!

Here are a few things that you can do if you feel that your child is a victim of harassment:

Make it a habit to talk to your child often. By staying in frequent touch with their lives outside your home, you can be more in tune with what is happening in his or her life and you will establish trust.

Find out the school's policy regarding bullying and harassment. Showing that you are calm and able to communicate without getting out of control will be more effective in solving the situation. If you are not able to resolve it at the school level, find out what the policies are and work up the chain!

If you suspect your child of being a bully, it is highly suggested that you speak with him or her immediately. It might be difficult for you to detect this very undesirable trait because often kids are very charming among adults. They are smart and realize they have little real power among them.

When the child gets out among peers, it is much easier to be a bully and show an element of power. Yes, the desire for power starts very early in life and bullying is really about "power"

To have a child who bullies is a very serious and potentially even dangerous if not now, in the future. If it is not handled, a child that bullies may end up in juvenile or explosive or abusive relationships later. Often, children who are bullies as children will also have troubles in the workplace as they become adults.

How can you determine if your child is a bully? Watch your child's behavior and see if there are aggressive patterns. Also, monitor the social networks and friends. Are they a bullying, aggressive or undesirable crowd? What type of students are they?

It is okay for you as a parent to step in and let them know that the way your child is talking to or treating someone is not acceptable.It might take a bit for them to get the message, but with time and a constant reminder, they normally get it!

A great site for parents who would like more information about bullying and for kids as well is http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/

Team Building from a Kid's View