As a parent you don’t want to see your child being mistreated or sad, therefore you tey by all means protect them. However, it is impossible to always shield your child from all the and of the world, there are some instances where you can be with them physically and you need to trust that they are well.
School is an example, children are prone to bullying and violence. Now, what do you do in a situation where you find out that another kid is bullying your child at school?
Here are acceptable approaches suggested by different publications:
Validate your child’s feelings: It is important to first affirm to your child that the bullying is not their fault and make sure you validate their feelings, according to the Understood publication. “Saying ‘I love you’ can be a big boost to your child. Just listening to whatever your child wants to share helps, too. When you show that you care about your child’s feelings, it empowers your child to share the full story.”
Document all facts: According to the publication above, it’s important to apply logic in these situations that often trigger an emotional response. It is stated that you first talk calmly to your child and ask that they give you all the details about the bullying, and have them communicate their raw feelings. “Once you have a basic idea about what’s happening, see if you can learn specific information, too. You can ask things like: Are you getting mean messages on social media? Who is sending them? How many? When?” The publication then advises that you gather documents such as emails, texts, screenshots, and voice messages to document the situation.
Advise the child against retaliating: The Anti-Bullying Alliance suggests that you encourage your child to avoid retaliation to bullying, such as violent actions, as it can lead to negative consequences of them being hurt even further. “Rather suggest that they walk away and seek help.”
Approach the school: The BBC recommends going into the school for a discussion about bullying. It is stated that you ask about whole-school interventions and the anti-bullying policy and try to monitor what steps the school has taken to amend the situation.
Instil confidence in your child: The United Health Care advises that you teach your child to stand up for themselves and others being bullied. It is stated that upstanders show more optimism and self-esteem. “Even if your child is not being bullied, they may see it happening to someone else. Talk to them about how to handle the situation. If they are comfortable, they can step forward and support the target.”
Also see: Signs your child is being bullied
