It hurts. It's painful, shameful, scary, and sad. These are just a few of the many emotions a child might feel when they’re constantly being mocked. Some kids are able to stand up for themselves and respond with confidence. Others withdraw and struggle deeply with the pain of ridicule. So how can parents help their child through this difficult part of growing up?
Priority #1 for parents is to teach their child how to respond in a way that stops the bully in their tracks. Child psychologists suggest several effective strategies:
- Question the teasing. For example, “Why are you saying that?” or “Why do you think I’m stupid or ugly?”
- Use an assertive “I want” statement. Teach your child to say clearly and confidently, “I want you to stop talking to me like that,” or “I want you to stop teasing me.”
- Turn the insult into a compliment. A child can reply with humor: “Thanks for the compliment!” or “How nice of you to notice!”
- Respond with sarcasm. Phrases like “As if I care,” “You’re not even funny,” or “That’s just wonderful” work well.
- Show surprise or irony. Try saying, “Really? I had no idea,” or “Thanks for letting me know,” with a slightly ironic tone.
- Ignore the teasing. If verbal responses are hard, simply walk away. Your child can pretend the bully is invisible and focus attention elsewhere. This is often the best approach for children who don’t feel confident responding with words.
A few more reasons why mocking a child is never okay
Ridiculing a child can seriously damage their self-esteem. Kids who are regularly mocked at school may grow up shy, insecure, or anxious. They may begin to think something is wrong with them — and in extreme cases, constant teasing can even lead to serious emotional distress.
Boys are often the targets of teasing in class, due to competitive dynamics. Unfortunately, this can sometimes result in risky behavior, self-harm, or aggression. Recently, harmful joking and bullying have become more common in schools, and they often start as “just jokes.”
What should you do if your child is being laughed at in class? If you find out this is happening, talk to the class teacher. It’s their responsibility to monitor the emotional climate in the group. A child who feels unsafe or humiliated can’t learn properly. The teacher should talk with both the bullies and the victim to make it clear that this kind of behavior is unacceptable in the classroom.
No matter what response strategy your child chooses, the most important thing is to feel supported by loved ones — especially mom and dad. Be the trusted adult your child can always count on.
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