I don't remember a lot of parental guidance when it came to my socializing with other kids, until my folks became aware that I was being bullied. Their involvement ranged from incorrect/unhelpful ("they're just jealous of how smart you are" or "just ignore them and eventually they'll stop") to disastrous, when they held a meeting with me, the chief bully, her parents and the school principal. I barely survived that year.

I am glad that there's a lot more awareness of bullying now and a lot of people writing on it -- there are resources and whole organizations dedicated to helping solve that particular issue.