What do kids fear most? Research shows they’re terrified of bullies. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about why kids bully, how it impacts them, and what to say if your kid becomes the bully.

Why This Matters
Bullying hurts kids and dads need to know how to console them when it happens.

Why Do Kids Bully?
Most kids wouldn’t label themselves as a bully, but a study done in the UK found that 37 percent of participants admitted they bully others regularly. So, why do kids do it?

1. 1. They’re seeking power and control.
2. 2. They want attention.
3. 3. They show a learned behavior
4. 4. They have emotional problems
5. 5. They lack social skills and empathy
   
   

Common Types of Bullying

1. 1. Verbal – This is common with, but not exclusive to, younger age groups.
2. 2. Physical – This should not be tolerated. Alert teachers or coaches if this is happening to your child.
3. 3. Emotional – The impacts of bullying on mental health can be devastating.

Action Steps for Dads

1: Be a support person for your child. 
Our kids need us to be stable. Create a safe space for them to talk and share their pain, struggles, and failures. Say things like, “I will help you stay positive when things are hard.”

2: Talk about bullying and what it looks like.
Kids are more likely to talk about bullying if you ask them questions about others, like “how do the people at school treat each other?” Eventually, move the conversation to them.

3: Model empathy.
Show your kids how to treat people with kindness, care, and empathy.  

Important Episode Timestamps

00:01:05 – 03:04 | Could Your Kid Be the Bully?
The hosts challenge parents to honestly consider whether their own child might be hurting others.

03:04 – 05:16 | Why We Assume Bullying Is Always Someone Else’s Kid
Defensiveness and blind spots often keep parents from seeing harmful behavior at home.

05:16 – 09:00 | Why Do Kids Bully?
Bullying often stems from kids feeling powerless or out of control in other areas of life.

09:00 – 11:22 | The Difference Between Teasing and Bullying
Not every argument is bullying. Dads need to know the different types of bullying, when to step in, and when to coach resilience.

11:22 – 13:58 | How Parents Accidentally Enable Bullying
Excuses, minimizing, and defending bad behavior can reinforce harmful patterns in kids.

13:58 – 16:14 | Teaching Empathy Instead of Just Punishment
The hosts explain why discipline without empathy rarely leads to real behavior change.

16:14 – 18:41 | How To Handle a Bully
Practical steps for listening, responding calmly, and addressing the issue without shame or denial.

18:41 – 21:03 | Helping Kids Take Responsibility and Make It Right
Ownership, apology, and repair are framed as critical life skills—not signs of weakness.

21:03 – End | Raising Kids Who Use Strength the Right Way
The episode closes with a reminder that strong kids are those who protect others, not dominate them.

APD Pro Move:
Ask your kids about how people treat one another at their school. Have a conversation about bullying this week and see what you can uncover about their world.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.