What to do if you think your child is being bullied

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What to do if you think your child is being bullied

No parent likes to think about their child being bullied, or worse that their child might be the bully, 

but it’s a sad fact that nearly half of all young people will experience bullying before they turn 18.

As a parent, bullying can be one of your worst fears for your children.

You want to do something, but it can be hard to know how to approach the issue.

You don’t want to embarrass them or make things worse, but you do want to make sure

they have the support they need.

If you’re worried that your child might be being bullied there are ways you can help.

What to look out for

Of course, it’s not always easy to tell if your child is being bullied,

but there are some tell-tale signs you can look out for:

§ withdrawal
§ a reluctance to go to school
§ a loss of friends
§ a drop in grades
§ a loss of interest in activities he or she previously enjoyed
§ a change in behaviour at home
§ aggressive behaviour with you or siblings
§ feigning illness
§ torn clothing
§ bruises
§ a need for extra money or supplies
§ self-harm

Talk it over

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, the first thing to do is let them know

you’re there to support them.

They may come to you to talk about bullying, if they do, take them seriously.

Try to find a quiet time when you can talk, preferably at home where you can both be comfortable. 

Be prepared to listen carefully to what they tell you, you may want to rush in with solutions

but it’s important to show your child that you understand them.

Discuss the problem together and think about the ways you can approach it as a team.

How you can help

When your child tells you they are being bullied you may feel panicked

and unsure of what to do next.

Here are some practical ways you can help:

§ Teach your child non-violent ways to deal with bullies such as walking away or talking it out.

§ Help your child to act with self-confidence.                                                                                             Practice walking upright, looking people in the eye and speaking clearly together.

§ Don’t encourage your child to fight. This could lead to him or her getting hurt, getting in trouble
and setting off more serious problems with the bully.

§ Talk to your child’s teacher about what’s been going on instead of confronting the bully’s parents.
 If the teacher doesn’t act to stop the bullying, talk to the head teacher or the school governors.
 All UK state schools need to have an anti-bullying policy by law so you can request a copy to see how they handle the issue.

§ Encourage your child to get involved in activities outside of school such as a sports club or youth group. This way he or she can make friends in a different social circle and build their self-esteem.

§ If your child is experiencing cyberbullying (bullying via Facebook, twitter, text or instant messaging) read our tips for protecting your child online.

§ If the bullying is really serious and includes physical assault, damage to property or stealing from your child you may want to get the police involved.

http://www.relate.org.uk/blog/2014/12/05/what-do-if-you-think-your-child-being-bullied

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