When it comes to bullying, parents play a critical role. What parents say or don't say to their children early - on often determines how they would handle a bully. Serese Cole sat down with some parents recently to talk about it and hear the advice they're giving their kids.

The parents we talked to all talk to their kids about bullying.

Marc Kruger, "You just want them to be able to talk to you and let them know how they're feeling."

Lynn Kruger, "We probably started from the time they were very little, teaching them about basic respect for themselves and for others."

Wendi Nalte, "We told them you don't want to fight back, you want to tell an adult, don't be ashamed, don't be scared. Come to me right away and I'll take care of it."

Cheryl Alexander, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat me. However, I stopped at the next verse it said, 'if someone strikes you on the cheek turn the other,' because they have to take a stand."

Cheryl's position on how to handle a bully changed years ago after both her children were bullied.

Cheryl, "It just got to the point where okay honey, I know you are doing your best to try to get along with this boy, but if someone is pushing you , touching you - causing you physical harm you are going to have to take care of yourself - stand up for yourself and the minute he did - the problem stopped."

Dr. Michael Vance, "We all think differently when we have to protect our own safety and our own situations...to give kids a get out of jail free card that says if somebody is messing with you - you hit them - I don't think that works in life. You can't say as adults if somebody is messing with you - you get to do physical or bodily hard to them."

Instead, psychologist Michael Vance says parents should provide skills to equip their kids.

Dr Vance, "Hey don't talk to me that way, walk away, go move toward a group of peers go move towards an authority figure, remind the person assertively that you don't need to treat me that way."

Parent's just hope it's advice their kids will never have to use.

Dr. Vance says the number on thing parents should do is to make sure their child's school or any organization they belong to have bullying resources in place that are equipped to handle a problem if it arises.