- Leave notes - Secretly leave a loving message in your youngster’s “home office” or backpack. (“Have a great school day! Love, Dad.”)
- Eat together - Plan special school-day breakfasts with your child. You’ll connect before a busy day. Also, consider joining her for lunch on days when you’re both home.
- Share photos - Look at old family photos with your youngster, or show her “on this day” pictures on social media or photo-sharing sites. Say what you loved about her then (“You were so little and cuddly”) and what you love about her now (“I still love hugs from you—plus I love our interesting conversations”).♥
How to Handle Cyberbullying
- Be informed. Explain to your child that cyberbullying includes texting, chatting, or posting unkind or threatening messages. It’s also cyberbullying to spread rumors, intimidate people, or share private information that would embarrass someone.
- React appropriately. Does your youngster know what to do if he’s cyberbullied? Talk frankly about tactics that help (telling an adult) and don’t help (responding to the person doing the bullying). Together, learn how to take screenshots of texts or chats in case he needs proof of a cyberbullying incident.
- Provide guidance. Set clear guidelines for your child’s online behavior. For example, he shouldn’t send a message or photo to another child that he wouldn’t want you or his teacher to see. It may be a good idea to point out that other kids and their parents can take screenshots, too.♥
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