How to raise a kid who's stronger than a bully

Expectation v. reality No Images? Click here   Summer is nearly (unofficially) over, and school has already started back for much of the country. And as our kids head back to the classroom, it’s worth, unfortunately, preparing them and yourself for the tough reality of bullying. Our team at HuffPost Parents has put a lot of thought and care into stories about bullying — how to get your kids to open up about it, what to do if your kid is being bullied, and how to know if their aggressive behavior is a sign of something serious. We’ll have more stories over the course of this week, but in the meantime, I’m sharing these posts with you.  I hope none of you have to use the tools provided in these pieces, but if you do, I hope they’re helpful and give you a small semblance of peace of mind.  How To Raise An Upstander: Experts share how parents can teach their children to stand up for others, especially bullied kids. How To Get Your Kids To Open Up To You About Bullying: Kids are notoriously tight-lipped about what happens during the school day. Here's how to figure out what's going on. What NOT To Say When Your Child Is Being Bullied: Choose your words carefully: The wrong response could discount the pain of a kid who's hurting. So Your Kid Bullied Someone. Now What?: Many parents are shocked to learn their kid has engaged in bullying behaviors. Here's how to make the best of a tough situation. Is Your Child A Bully — Or Just Doing Normal Mean Kid Stuff?: Kids sometimes act out. When does it cross a line? A programming note: As next Monday is Labor Day, I'll be back in your inboxes on September 9.          Ah, back-to-school season...   Kindness FTW These books teach kids the importance of empathy and kindness, which we can always use more of in this world.     For when your kid is keeping you awake I may be the resident laundry-doer in my house, but I’m of the perhaps faulty view that nearly everything can go in the wash. After reading this piece, Can You Machine-Wash Clothes With 'Hand-Wash Only' Tags?, I think I’ll change my ways, and you might, too. More stories from the trenches: The Healthiest Sandwiches To Pack In Your Kid's Lunch, Ranked What To Watch If You Can’t Wait For ‘This Is Us’ To Come Back Teachers' Most Embarrassing Wardrobe Mishaps At School   👋You may have noticed our website is now www.huffpost.com. Don't worry, it'll still be the same HuffPost you know and love, just with a new URL. Make sure to update your bookmarks!     HuffPost is now a part of Verizon Media Group. On May 25, 2018 we introduced a new Privacy Policy which will explain how your data is used and shared. Learn More. A guide to helping you raise the kind of person you'd like to know. Love what you see? Send it to a friend. Did someone forward this email? If so, subscribe here. Can't get enough? Check out (In)formation and The Good Life. ©2019 HuffPost | 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 You are receiving this email because you signed up for updates from HuffPost Feedback | Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe    .     - - Preferences  |  Unsubscribe