Things to Consider While Making Your Plan
Use the Golden Rule
First of all, treat the bully like you would like to be treated. We sometimes forget that the Golden Rule applies even when we aren’t being treated like we should be. When you respond in the same nasty way the bully does, you show the bully you care what he or she thinks. If you don’t care or at least act like you don’t care, the bully is likely to move on. NOTE: Before your bully moves on, he or she is likely to work harder at making you miserable. STAND FIRM! LAUGH! MESS WITH HIM OR HER BY NOT RESPONDING LIKE YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO!
Write It Down
Documenting is a life skill, so start practicing now. Write down what happens in your bully encounters. Keep detailed notes; be specific. Doing so will help you get your thoughts in order and prepare for the next time you have to deal with the bully. This will also help you support your case if you find you’re not successful shutting the bully down on your own.
Talk to Someone
Just like with documenting the incidents, talking with someone may help you figure out how you can better respond to the bully. Friends are good for this, but don’t hesitate to talk with your mom or dad, a teacher, school counselor, or an adult you like and trust.
When you do talk with an adult, he or she is likely to start off with “Just ignore him and walk away,” and if you know that doesn’t work well for you, let them know that you want help with practicing how to respond to the bully in a confident, “I-will-not-be-bullied” way. If you need to, show them “Target Tactics I: Dealing With Your Bully.”
Get Help
School leaders have a legal responsibility to help you, but more importantly, most want to help you. Furthermore, if the bully is bullying you, he or she is most likely bullying others, too. If you don’t get the help you need, and especially if the issue has been addressed but the bullying continues, keep asking for help until you get the action you need.
Things to Consider While Making Your Plan
