Pregnancy
Don't Let Bullies Win
Question: My 10-year-old son has been bullied for the past 2 years - he's going into a shell. He's scared to phone friends -- I think he's afraid of being rejected. What can I do?
Answer: Help your son find friends who he doesn't have to fear. He could join a Boy Scout troop or a soccer team, or participate in a church group. With your help he can find some friends who won't pick on him.
Your son may feel more comfortable with friends who are a year or two younger than he is, so try to help him look in that direction. Once he has built up some confidence in his ability to manage friendships, he'll probably be ready to be friends with same-age peers again.
If your son's problems continue, you may want to arrange for him to talk with a counselor. Your pediatrician or school counselor can refer you to a therapist in your community.
More on: Expert Advice
Barbara Potts has worked as an elementary school counselor for many years. She has a BA in psychology from Wake Forest University, and an M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
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