How to Deal with Bullying in School: A Guide for Parents

It can be a scary prospect for parents to send their child off to school for the first time. The thought of our little one being mistreated by their classmates can make any parent anxious. This is why it’s important that parents are aware of how their child will be treated at school so they can take action if necessary. Many students experience some form of bullying at school, and it can have a serious impact on them for years to come. However, by arming yourself with knowledge about the topic, you are better equipped to deal with potential problems if your child experiences bullying at school. Read on for more information about this topic and how you can help prevent your child from being bullied in school.

What is bullying in school?

To start, we should clarify what we mean by ‘bullying’. There are two main types of bullying: Physical bullying and verbal bullying. When we refer to bullying in school, we are usually referring to verbal bullying.

Verbal bullying –

When a student or group of students repeatedly uses language (including words, images, and/or gestures) to mistreat, humiliate, or intimidate another student, this is known as verbal bullying. This can happen in person or online.

Physical bullying –

When a student repeatedly causes physical harm to another student, this is known as physical bullying. This can include hitting, shoving, kicking, and other forms of physical violence.

How to recognize bullying in school

If your child has been the victim of bullying in school, the signs are likely to be evident. However, you may want to look out for these signs, just in case.

There are a few key signs of bullying that parents should keep an eye out for including:

Unexplained injuries –

If your child comes home with unexplained bruises or cuts, this could be a sign that they are being bullied.

Changes in behavior –

Is your child suddenly behaving differently? They could be experiencing bullying. This could be a sudden drop-off in grades, or they might have a sudden change in attitude.

Avoidance of certain areas of the school –

If your child is avoiding certain areas of the school, such as the playground or classroom, there could be a reason for this.

Loss of interest in school work –

Is your child struggling with school work or has lost interest in their studies? This could be due to bullying.

A drop-off in friendships –

This is especially important for younger children, who may be too scared to report bullying. If your child’s friendships have suddenly dropped off, bullying could be the reason.

Ways parents can help their child deal with bullying

If your child has been the victim of bullying, there are some steps you can take to help them cope with the situation. Here are a few things you can do as a parent to help your child deal with bullying:

Stay vigilant –

The best way to deal with bullying is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Keep a close eye on your child to see if they are showing signs of being bullied. You should report it to the school straight away if they are.

Talk to your child –

If your child confides in you that they are being bullied, be sure to talk to them. Let them know that their feelings are valid and that you are there to support them.

Let your child know they are not alone –

One of the worst feelings a child can have is feeling alone. Let your child know that they are not the only one being bullied and that they have the full support of their family.

Keep communication open –

If your child is being bullied, communication is key. Let your child know that they can always come to you if they are being bullied and that you are there to talk to the school if needed.

What to do if your child is being bullied at school

If your child has confided in you that they are being bullied, there are a few steps you can take. Here are a few things you should do if your child is being bullied at school:

Stay calm –

The last thing you want to do is make the situation worse by panicking. Stay calm, and use a gentle tone when talking to your child. Bullying is never their fault, and they do not deserve to be treated poorly.

Report the incident –

If your child has been bullied, report the incident to the school. Let the school know that you would like the incident to be investigated.

Keep communication open –

If the school is investigating the incident, stay in communication with the administration. Let them know that you would like the incident to be investigated thoroughly.

Let your child know they are not alone –

Reassure your child that they are not alone. Tell them that you are there for them and that you support them 100%.

Conclusion

Bullying is an unfortunate reality for many students and is something that can cause serious long-term damage. It is important that parents stay vigilant so they can identify any potential signs of bullying and report them to the school. If your child is being bullied, there are a few steps you can take to help them cope with the situation. These include staying calm, reporting the incident, and letting your child know that they are not alone. With the support of parents and school staff, hopefully the impact of bullying can be reduced.