My niece (11) told me she had some mean girls making comments about her weight in school. She told a teacher, the girls were told off. The thing is they now call her cry baby (because she cried to the teacher and was seen) and make buhuuing sounds when she passes. She tried to get help but was told to ignore them. She doesn't want to tell her mum so has asked me for help. I told her she should try to ignore them and they will get tired of it. Just to look at them as they were idiots (they are) and walk past them head held high. Problem is she says she starts crying when they tease her for this very thing. She's a very sweet girl who is kind to everyone and she doesn't know how to deal with mean girls. Since school has told her it's no biggie (making comments on weight/race/handicap is taken seriously but being called a cry baby is tolerated apparantly) she has to find the strength to deal with it. Her friends are shy as well so no help. I wanted her to tell them that it's their ugly insides that make her cry for them but I guess that could get her in trouble. She is not overweight (not that it should justify teasing) just starting to get female shapes and I think that they chose to pick on her for her innocence and kindness. I want to tell my sister but she made me promise not to. But if I can't help her I feel I have to. Does anyone have any experience of this? How can I help her get thicker skin and what should she say if anything when they start teasing her?