08/17/2026
What should your child actually do when someone tries to bully or intimidate them?
“Just ignore them” is advice many of us grew up hearing. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.
In HJJ-021 of Building Confident Kids with Sensei Steven, I discuss something every parent should consider as children head back to school: bullies often test boundaries and look for reactions.
That does NOT mean a child is responsible for being bullied. Bullying is always the responsibility of the person choosing to bully.
But we can prepare our children.
One of the most important things martial arts can give a child isn't the ability to punch, kick, or throw someone.
It's the confidence to stand tall, use their voice, establish boundaries, recognize trouble, and know when to get help.
Teach Your Child These 4 Steps:
STAND. SPEAK. MOVE. TELL.
🥋 STAND — Use confident posture. Head up, shoulders back, and stay aware of what's happening.
🗣️ SPEAK — Use a clear, confident voice: “Stop. Leave me alone.”
🚶 MOVE — Create distance and move toward friends, teachers, or another safe place.
👨👩👧 TELL — Tell a trusted adult exactly what happened. That's not tattling. That's protecting yourself.
