It starts with a comment. A "just joking" jab. A glare from across the playground. Your child flinches yet holds it together—until they're safely in the car, and then it all pours out:

😔 "I didn't know what to do."

😔 "I just stood there."

😔 "I wanted to scream, but I froze."

As parents, we often focus on what was said or done to our children in bullying situations. But the real question is: Do they have the skills to respond—not react—when it happens again?

When bullying hits, it's not just the insult that stings—it's the rush of emotion that clouds their ability to think clearly, speak up confidently, or walk away with dignity.

That's where composure comes in.

Composure isn't about bottling emotions. It's about regulating them so your child can stay calm enough to act wisely in challenging moments.

Bullies feed off chaos. But a calm, composed child is more complicated to provoke, easier to respect, and far more likely to choose a values-driven response over a knee-jerk reaction.

Composure often diffuses the situation before it explodes.

A study published in Child Development found that children who demonstrate emotional regulation in high-stress social situations are less likely to be repeat targets of bullying and more likely to be seen as leaders by peers.

Calmness influences - it doesn't just protect; it also has an impact.

Imagine a person, a child, who hears an insult and doesn't crumble. Who feels the sting but responds with strength. Who walks away with their power—and their integrity—intact.

That kind of child isn't born that way. They're guided that way.

And it starts with you.

Want more ways to raise calm, confident kids who stay true to their values—even when others aren't?

👉 Join my free Facebook group, Raising Kids With Integrity. It's here we build composure, courage, and character—one skill at a time.