Have you ever been bullied? People that have remember how it feels, something that is not a very good memory. To prevent bullying that is occurring, or that may occur later in your child's life, you must become aware of the signs to look for. While you don't want to be overprotective of kids, you do want to keep a watchful eye on them and make sure they aren't being bullied. The following are some ways you can help keep your kids safe from bullies.

Notice who your kids are talking to, and find out information from other parents. The reason you want to chat with other parents is to see if their kids have experienced bullying in their lives. If you do find out that your child is being bullied, and there are several parents working together, school administrators will work more quickly to take care of the issue.

Parents can also encourage their kids to stick together during times when bullying might occur, such as during recess or after school. Bullies are less likely to go after pairs or groups of kids, and if something does happen, the kids are more likely to report it. Getting together with other parents can help you and your child feel less isolated and make plans that can thwart the bully's actions.

You should enroll your child in a martial arts class, or any class on self-defense, so that they can protect themselves in case the need arises. You shouldn't try to force a child into this, as that won't be productive, but if he or she has any interest, you should encourage it. Remember, you do not want to encourage them to engage in some type of fight, but merely be ready for it if it happens. Kids that know self-defense will not be targeted by bullies because they do not want to be hurt.

Kids are not always so forthcoming when it comes to discussing bullying with their parents. They may feel ashamed, or the bully may have frightened them into remaining silent. This is why you need to keep an eye out that something is wrong by looking for warning signs. Your child might be wanting to skip school for an alternative reason if they're saying they have a physical ailment, especially if it's hard to check like a headache or stomachache. Should you ask your child about their day at school then they'll probably be more likely to open up to you if there is an issue. However, you cannot expect them to open up without prompting them. Bullying is a widespread problem, but that doesn't mean you have to tolerate it when it comes to your child. Research has shown that the effects of bullying can reach into your child's adulthood.

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