A new study helps confirm what most parents know already. That having close relationships with your kids helps them cope with stresses such as cyberbullying. It makes sense from an attachment perspective. Kids are vulnerable to bullying when they worry or care too much about what their peers or bullies think. On the other hand, a child who is closely connected or attached to parents, will draw their sense of self-esteem, validation and acceptance from their parents. Because they do not rely on the bullies (or their peers) to meet their need for feeling validated or accepted, they will be thus more resilient and less vulnerable... In addition, note that most likely it is not family dinners per se that is the key, but rather the simple act of spending time with your child so that they can communicate with you... To that end, most likely 1:1 time between child and parent would be just as good as family dinners, if not more high yield...

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