As National Bullying Prevention Month comes to a close, it’s important to remind ourselves of the prevalence of bullying, and what parents, friends, and children themselves can do about it.
Here’s a shocking number: 160,000 children skip school each day out of fear of emotional or physical abuse from other students. Furthermore, the presence of smartphones can make it easier for cyberbullying and other bullying to undetected by teachers or other adult guardians.
Think your child might be getting bullied in school? Don’t know who to call? Check out our list of warning signs, tips, and local resources below.
Warning Signs
- Unexplained damaged or missing
items - Fear of being left alone; suddenly clingy to you
- Drastic change in mood or personality; depressed
- Change in routine; difficulty sleeping; change in eating habits
- Suddenly has fewer friends; doesn’t want to go to school or social activities
- Sudden and notable drop in grades
- Starts bullying younger siblings
- Blames his or herself for problems; feels that he or she is not good enough
What You Should Do About It
First of all, it is important to take into consideration the fact that children who are bullied consequently develop a fragile self-esteem. Directly confronting your child about if they are being bullied be an awkward and embarrassing situation for them. Many victims of bullying feel they are at fault, and thus it is humiliating to admit to being abused by ones peers, and in many cases they will refuse to admit it.
Instead of this direct approach watch your child’s body language. You will be able to tell more from it than what your child is saying, or not saying. At the same time, you should continuously stress to your child that you are always available and ready to help if there is a problem.
It is additionally important to boost your child’s confidence levels at any opportunity you may be given. Praise your child when they get a good grade, make their bed without being told, do something nice for their siblings, etc. Hearing these positive comments will help them realize that they are valuable individuals despite what others may be saying or doing to them.
Bullying is a hurtful and difficult form of abuse. However, like many others in the past, your family will be able to identify and overcome the bullies in your child’s life.
Here are some local resources that can aid in this process:
Anti-Bullying Leadership Network
Local Parents, via the New York Times
Scholastic Parent Guide to Bullying
