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Anchor:
Some people think it's just a part of growing up, but being bullied can have a big impact on your children's lives. Tonight, we have a look at "bully-proofing" - how to protect your kids from teasing, taunting, and even physical violence at the hands of their classmates.

Andrea McCarren:
Every single day, an estimated 10 percent of school children are bullied. Their stories are heartbreaking but parents can help.

Story:
15-year-old Greg: "I will say honestly I've cried enough to probably fill an ocean."

13-year-old Jacqueline: "Some people made fun of the clothes I wore."

12-year-old Torie: "If you stand up for someone that's being bullied, you usually get bullied."

Bullying happens far more often than parents and teachers may realize - in the classroom, the cafeteria, and on the school bus. 

Joel Haber: "It's about power, right? Who has power?"

Clinical psychologist Joel Haber urges parents to teach their children to stand up to bullies.

Joel Haber: "Say, 'Hey, knock it off. Enough.'"

Haber says the victims need to appear strong and unphased by the bullying, even if they feel miserable inside. 

Joel Haber: "So if they see a kid getting really angry, they love it."

15-year-old Greg: "I was in the 7th grade and some kid threw a slushie at my face."

Now a confident 15 year-old, Greg still recalls that painful moment in his crowded middle school cafeteria.

15-year-old Greg: "What did I do to deserve this? I didn't wrong anybody."

13-year-old Jacqueline: "At the vending machines, people will just keep begging you for change. And sometimes, I feel intimidated and I give them my change."

Parents play a key role - not by over-reacting and calling the school right away, unless their child is in serious danger, but by helping them come up with a successful strategy. 

Joel Haber: "Say to them, well, what do you want to do? What can we do? What do you want to try? What have you tried already? Work with them to try to develop a plan."

And most important, talk about it, especially with a trusted adult. 

Joel Haber: "Even though you may feel at that point I can't tell you because I'll feel like a chicken or wimp, tell somebody because it's the right thing to do."

Andrea McCarren: 
If your child starts losing interest in school, doesn't want to ride the bus or shows signs of physical distress like frequent stomach-aches or headaches, bullying may be the cause.For More Information:

http://www.respectu.com/

http://www.bullyproofchild.com/

http://www.bullypolice.org/