How to Talk to Your Child About Bullying
When you send your child off to school, the threat of other children is probably the last thing on your mind. Bullying affects children on both sides; both the bullied and the bullies can develop depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. With children relying on digital means more than ever, cyberbullying can affect kids just as potently. With in-person and cyberbullying hurting so many students, it’s important to talk about it with your child. Here’s how we recommend talking to your child about this tough subject:
Learn About Bullying
Now that most children are online, bullying can come at any time from any direction. Start by learning about all the ways your child can be bullied and what you can do. Learn to see the signs of bullying, like academic issues, self-harm and disturbed sleep. Explain to your child that bullies often have insecurities of their own, but don’t know how to cope. If another parent tells you that your child is a bully, listen, and talk to your child about better ways to handle their problems.
Warn Your Child
A child who’s being bullied might not understand what’s happening to them. Make sure your child knows it’s unacceptable for other children or adults to make them feel uncomfortable. Explain what bullying looks like: intent to cause harm and repeated hostile actions. Tell them not to engage with the bully, to simply walk away and report the situation to a trusted adult. If the bullying takes place online, tell them not to respond but to save all the harmful messages.
Help Build Their Confidence
It’s not impossible for a confident child to fall victim to bullying, but confidence can help make them less of a target. Empower your child to diffuse situations and stand up for themselves and others. Praise them for what makes them unique, and encourage them to explore their hobbies and talents. Joining clubs with peers can help them build self esteem and have trusted adults to go to when bullying occurs. Encourage your child to treat others how they want to be treated. This will help them feel good about themselves.
Role-Play Bullying Scenarios
Telling your child about bullying can only go so far. Children learn best when they understand bullying scenarios. Practice responding to bullies using phrases like “That wasn’t nice” or “Leave me alone.” Teach them body language skills, like making direct eye contact when a child is being mean to keep their head held high. Help your child find ways to turn a negative situation into a positive one through humor and deflection. Praise them if they handle a real-life situation particularly well.
Report Bullying Incidents
Bullying can create feelings of shame for the victim and the bully. However, reporting bullying incidents is the best way to stop them from happening. Gather as much documentation as possible. If online, keep track of all messages and posts. Here is who you should talk to if your child is bullied by another child:
Their parents: Take a deep breath first, figure out what you’ll say, and present the situation in a non-judgmental way. This is their child who they presumably love and want to protect. At the end of the day, it will help to know what their child did to yours.
The school: Talk to teachers, guidance counselors, or any adult at the school who can help with the situation. Learn about the school’s bullying policies and what the other child did that specifically went against those policies.
The authorities: If their parents and the school are unresponsive, and the bullying escalates to become life-threatening, consider reporting it to the police.
Bullying works best when hidden in the shadows. We encourage parents to talk to their children about bullying to stop issues before they start. With over 57 years of academic excellence, St. Teresa Catholic School, a Titusville private school, provides a quality education that challenges and empowers students to develop to their full potential. Students foster qualities that are essential for lifelong learning and are equipped for future success. To learn more about why St. Teresa is the perfect fit for you and your student, contact us today.