other kids who get bullied around, Justin soon became withdrawn from his family and began making excuses to miss school.

There's a bully in every crowd. They are on the playground, in the lunchroom and around the neighborhood. And, where's there is a bully, there is always a victim. Parents can help their children learn to deal with bullies without become one too by helping them avoid becoming a victim:

• Teach children how to make friends. There is strength in numbers, and bullies are less likely to pick on someone who is around others.
  
• Have children practice several come-back lines. Keep them short and make sure they don't include anything sarcastic about the bully.
  
• Tell children to avoid the bully and situations where it's obvious trouble could start.

Weakness attracts bullies, so parents should teach children to be confident, to stand up straight, not fidget and to look people in the eye.

When it comes to bullies, parents may have to step in to create a safe environment. If the problem occurs at school, parents should let officials know about it. If it happens in the neighborhood, parents should get in touch with the bully's parents. A bully needs to know the consequences of his or her behavior.