The reality is that more than half of all children are involved in bullying, either as a perpetrator, victim, or witness. While no parent likes to think about their child being tormented or, even worse, as a bully, there’s a considerable possibility that you’ll encounter this frustrating situation sooner or later.
There is a right way and wrong way of dealing with the situation. If you want to solve the situation once and for all without putting your child in danger, here is what to do when your child is being bullied.
Listen To Your Child
It’s crucial to make an effort to listen without becoming irate or furious. Set aside your own emotions, take a seat, and pay attention to what your child is telling you. Helping them develop resilience will encourage your child to attempt to come off as self-assured because body language and tone of voice convey a lot.
Don’t let the harassment rule their lives. Assist your youngster in learning a new skill. Urge them to sign up for a club or activity like self-defense or acting. This boosts self-assurance, provides a chance to meet new people, and helps keep the issue in perspective.
By “playing back” to them what you hear, you can reflect what you have heard. So that they don’t feel left out of the decision-making process, you can ask them how they would like you to proceed. Your child may require a lot of help since they may be afraid of the consequences if they report the bullying.
Don’t Make Things Worse
Avoid rushing off and asking to see the principal, the bully, or their parents. Children typically fear this response and it might exacerbate bullying. As a parent, you should never encourage physical contact or yelling at your youngster. That merely doesn’t address the issue, and if your youngster lacks confidence, it will only increase their tension and anxiety.
Remain Calm
When you learn that your child is being bullied, you could experience feelings of rage, hurt, shame, helplessness, or dread. Your own childhood memories may aid in understanding and problem-solving, but they can also get in the way. Consider your feelings before acting; otherwise, you may not be able to assist as much as you would like.
Obtaining assistance from the school
Legally, every school must establish an anti-bullying policy that outlines their responsibilities and the resources they can provide. List all the details, including what happened, who was involved, when it happened, who saw it, and how frequently it has happened, before you go to the school.
Make an appointment with the authorities instead than showing up at the school without notice. Try to work together with the school and make it obvious that you are seeking the school’s support in finding a solution.
Refrain from blaming the school and keep in mind that instructors are sometimes the last to learn about bullying at school. Just know that things are not going to change over time and you need to be more patient.
