Dear Annie: My niece has anxiety. How can I help her?

Dear Annie: My 11-year-old niece is a wonderful young lady. She’s respectful, full of love and just a great kid.

Since Covid, she has been dealing with some anxiety that she did not have pre-pandemic. Her parents, my sister-in-law and brother, are addressing these issues with her doctor. She’s adjusting.

Their neighbor has a daughter the same age, and the two were once friends, but they have grown apart. The other girl was bullying my niece (calling her names because of her size), so it was decided the two should no longer speak to one another because of the way the relationship had evolved.

The mother of the other girl took this “lost relationship” to heart. My niece can no longer walk past the neighbor’s home without this woman berating her to the point of tears and total fear. The police have been called twice to quell the situation but have not done a thing to stop this woman.

Any suggestions? There is no talking to her. She’s a bully at its finest. — Bullying a Kid

Dear Bullying a Kid: What a witch! It is horrible to think that an adult could be so cruel to an 11-year-old girl. You have stuck up to the bully, and you have notified the police. If you want, you can use your iPhone camera to record her in the act.

When speaking to your daughter, remind her that the way someone treats you says a lot more about them than it does about you. At this point, you might need to file a restraining order against this adult woman.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].