Bullying happens more than we think it does. The chances of your child being bullied at school, on the school bus or at a friends house are greater than most people would have you believe. Most children do not report bullying to their parents or to anyone in authority. They feel that reporting such behavior will only make them more of a target.
Parents therefore, need to be aware of the signs that may signify that your child is being bullied, and then locate the source and take steps to prevent bullying in the future. This is not an easy task, but it is one that we must undertake for the sake of our child.
Being aware of the signs of bullying is the first step.
Sudden loss of interest in attending school or social events. If your child used to be enthusiastic about school and all of a sudden is reluctant to attend, feigning illness, complaining, and exhibiting other behaviors that signify that he does not want to attend school it is definitely a sign that something is going on that you should be concerned about.
Keep in mind that bullying activities are not always related to school. If a child is suddenly reluctant to attend birthday parties and other social occasions it may be a sign that he is afraid of what will happen during unsupervised moments.
Pay a visit to the school, find out from your child’s teachers if your child is doing well in class. Start listening to your child more closely and ask questions about classes, his friends, and what he does during his free time at school.
Eating and sleeping problems. Many times when a child is being bullied, especially a young child, they will exhibit a lack of appetite or even increased habitual eating, using food as a means of comfort, and even have nightmares. If your child’s eating habits suddenly change or if he is frequently waking during the night, it is time to start to examining why.
Talking about bullying. When your child does talk about someone bullying others at school, he may be indirectly trying to tell you this is happening to him too. Listen to what he is saying and ask him if this type of situation has ever happened to him. You should also ask what he does when he sees this happen to other classmates. His answers may reveal a problem you have been totally unaware existed.
Teach your child about bullying. Both what to do if he is being bullied and what to do if he sees that others are being bullied. Also make sure to speak to your child about how not to become a bully himself.
Also, make sure that there is nothing in your own behavior that would send the message to your child that bullying or being bullied is acceptable. Many times parents use intimidation and threats as way to get their own way, and when your child sees you doing this he gets the message it is okay for others to use the same behavior.
If your child does admit to you that he or she is being bullied or that one of their friends are being bullied, speak to them about what they can do to prevent this behavior or how they can help their friend. Alert the parents of other children who are being bullied so that they can protect their child. If your child can’t avoid the bully after taking steps to do so, then step in and find help from the teachers, administration or other parents in stopping the abuse.
Ignoring or downplaying the situation will not make it go away and can lead to further violence in the future. It is your duty as a parent not only to keep your child from being bullied but to keep other children from being bullied as well.
