Is My Child Being Bullied? How to Tell the Difference Between Bullying and Normal Friendship Conflict

Is everything bullying now?

One day your child comes home saying someone wouldn't let them play. The next day they say they say they are being bullied. As parents, we want to protect our children—but we also want to help them build the confidence and resilience to handle everyday disagreements.

In episode 93, I'm joined by Dr. Carrie Jackson to unpack one of the biggest parenting conversations happening today: Has the word "bullying" become too broad?

We're talking about how to validate our children's feelings without labeling every uncomfortable interaction as bullying, what true bullying actually looks like, and how we can help kids develop emotional regulation and healthy conflict-resolution skills.

Whether you're parenting a preschooler, elementary schooler, or tween, this episode will help you know when to step in, when to coach from the sidelines, and how to raise kids who can navigate friendships with confidence.

In this episode, we discuss:

* What actually qualifies as bullying

* The difference between bullying, conflict, teasing, and rude behavior

* Why more children are using the word "bullying" for everyday disagreements

* How social media and adult language may be shaping kids' perceptions

* Questions every parent should ask before assuming bullying is happening

* When parents should contact the school—and when they shouldn't