October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating communities on preventing bullying. Parents Lead, a North Dakota program administered by Health and Human Services (HHS), offers help to parents, caregivers and professionals recognize and address bullying effectively.

Parents Lead provides tools, resources, and strategies that empower families to foster open, positive conversations about bullying, equipping children to stand up for themselves and others.

"By promoting kindness and inclusion, parents can help their children prevent bullying behaviors and build communities where bullying simply doesn't belong," said Sara Kapp, administrator of Parents Lead.

Parents play a critical role in preventing bullying and supporting children who may be impacted by it. Some steps parents can take include:

1. Talk openly about bullying: Discuss what bullying is and the importance of kindness and standing up for others.
2. Recognize the signs: Watch for changes in behavior, such as unexplained injuries, avoiding social situations, or declines in school performance.
3. Encourage positive activities: Involve children in activities that build confidence and help them make friends.
4. Teach safe responses: Help children practice calm, assertive ways to respond to bullying and seek help from trusted adults.
5. Address cyberbullying: Teach children about online safety, including privacy settings and reporting harmful behavior.
6. Model kindness: Demonstrate to your children how to treat others with respect and empathy.
   

Parents Lead offers a wide range of free resources to help families create supportive home environments and prevent bullying. On parentslead.org, families can find:

• Conversation starters to help parents talk to their children about bullying
• Warning signs that may indicate a child is experiencing bullying
• Tips for responding to cyberbullying and protecting kids online
• Guidance for professionals working with children and families on recognizing and addressing behavioral concerns
• Parents Lead is committed to empowering parents and caregivers with the tools they need to promote healthy development and prevent bullying.

For more information, visit parentslead.org or follow Parents Lead on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.