My answer to a parent's quandary about how to help their child who is getting bullied comes in an easy 8-step solution:

Step 1 – Get your child into church as young as possible. It makes no difference what denomination, just a good, religious preaching church. Why you ask? Simple: Churches believe and teach creationism, not evolution. That mankind was actually created by a creator known as God. This creator – much like the child's parents (only more so) – wanted to procreate and love what was created and wanted that creation to love in return. Not so different from all moms and dads.

The church teaches children from nursery up to confirmation and beyond that we as human creations are loved and have value, no matter who, what color, what disabilities, what religious group, what sex, what intelligence level or what aspirations. God loves every one of His creations because, as humans, we are made in the image of the creator. It is not our physical attributes but rather our soul, our spirit, our ability to reason and our free will. Churches teach not only that we are loved but that we have value. That we are on this earth to do God's will to fulfill His plan for future mankind and to show love for mankind as God has shown us His love.

So why, you ask? Let me tell you. If your child has this sense of worth drummed into his/her head from the time they can think, then no amount of bullying can destroy them. When this logic is re-enforced at home by family, friends and churches, the child has a tool to defend against bullying. A good side effect is maybe fewer children will bully if they know it is going to make their creator unhappy.

Step 2 – Get your child to describe the bullying act in detail, and even more importantly, why and how it affects them.

Step 3 – You and your child come up with a positive plan to defuse the bullying tactic.

Step 4 – See if you and your child can determine what motivates the bully and then see if your child can do anything to help the bully.

Step 5 – Turn the negative act of bullying into a positive act of help.

Step 6 – Chances are you may or may not be able to accomplish much, but working together with your child will give him or her a positive attitude, a goal to work toward and it will occupy their thinking on doing good and not on what bad could happen.

Step 7 – When you go to the school/school board, always go with a possible solution. One thing I learned in my 50-plus years in the workforce is that people in authority resent complaints with no answers. But (even if they reject your idea) they appreciate possible solutions because they know you really want to help. So go online and investigate how other schools have been successful in dealing with bullying. When you get all the “No, that's not going to work," or "We've tried that, it didn't work,” responses, always end the interview by asking, “How can I help?”

Step 8 – Remember, Step 1 is the most important and your attitude is reflected in your child. When you are angry, frustrated and negative, they will adopt that attitude. If you show a loving, positive, helpful attitude, they might not be totally sold but they won't feel afraid and alone.