It's hard not to sympathize with the Tampa father who threatened his disabled daughter's school bus bullies. Knowing your child is being harassed by classmates is enraging, and can leave a parent feeling helpless. But there are steps you can take to equip your child to make the best choices in a tight situation.

Brad Fantle of Tallahassee Taekwondo shared some troubling bullying statistics:

• 23% of elementary students reported being bullied one to three times in the last month.
• 77% of the students said they had been bullied at one point in the past, and 14% of those who were bullied said they experienced severe (bad) reactions to the abuse.
• 90% of 4th through 8th graders report being victims of bullying.
• Half of all bullying incidents go unreported.

While being bullied at one time or another is part of everyone’s childhood, it doesn’t mean your child has to be a victim. Brad also offered some tips for parents to arm their children with the tools they need to repel bullies:

• Body language, such as good eye contact and a clear loud voice, goes a long way. Your child should never challenge a bully, but a confident (not arrogant) attitude could make them a less-likely target.
• Role play with your child. Kids have in mind what they would want to say or do, but they need to role play aloud with your guidance to make it actually work. Practice makes permanent!
• Encourage your child to make a pact with their friends to always help each other, by either staying together, or running for an adult if the situation calls for it. There is strength and safety in numbers.

And of course, remind your child that you have open ears and open arms - so you can be among the first to know if there's trouble. Encourage them to treat others with kindness and respect - and to never join in with a bully, no matter how "cool" or "popular" they may seem. They may already know it, but hearing your expectations directly from you reinforces your family's values.