Even though you may know your little one inside out, spotting signs of bullying can still be tricky.
Difficult behaviour can often be passed off as laziness, anxiety or even just the pure dislike of learning.
Unfortunately, every single one of us have either witnessed bullying first hand or fallen victim to bullies ourselves. We wish we hadn't. We wish the 'if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all' mantra that we've instilled in our kids could carry on throughout their entire lives.
However, school environments are unfortunately the perfect place for bullies to thrive.
Every parent fears the moment that their child comes home from school to say they're having trouble with bullies. But what if they choose not to tell you?
The Diana Award’s #Back2School Anti-Bullying Campaign share their tips on how to spot changes in your child's behaviour...
Signs to look out for:
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A change in their personality, particularly getting upset or emotional easily.
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Giving you short answers when you ask them questions about school, or not wanting to talk about it.
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Getting upset before school or making up excuses about why they don’t want to go.
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A change in their normal sleep patterns. They may be sleeping much more, or are not able to sleep.
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Not being invited to events, parties or to people’s houses by any of their school friends.
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Getting into trouble a lot more than usual with teachers and other students.
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A drop in your child’s grades, or you don’t feel their ability is being reflected in their grades.
If you have noticed some of these signs in your child, call their class or form teacher to arrange a meeting to discuss your concerns.
You find out your child IS being bullied – what do you do now?
Finding out your child is being bullied can be incredibly upsetting and all you'll want to do is hold them tight and never let them go. However, it’s important to try and put your feelings aside, stay strong and work through the problem together.
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Thank them for coming and telling you and explain that you will work through the problem together.
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Ask them about the bullying, who did it involve, how often is it happening and how is it making them feel.
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Reassure them that it is not their fault that this happening as sometimes people who are bullied feel that they have brought the bullying on themselves.
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Ask them how they want to deal with it. They may be worried that by telling someone the issue will be taken out of their hands. Work together to plan the best way forward.
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Help re-build their confidence. Bullying, however severe, can have a huge impact on a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Do activities they enjoy and ensure to give them lots of praise.
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Talk about how your child should best respond to the bullying, reminding them to be the better person and not retaliate.
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Don’t contact the parents of the child who has been bullying yours but take the issue to the school.
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Make an appointment at the school and be ready with the details of what has happened to your child and a plan of what you would like to do about it. Give the school time to resolve the matter.
Have you experienced a change in your childs behaviour since going back to school? What would you do if you found out your child was being bullied?
**Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter (@CloserOnline). **
Get involved with the #Back2School Anti Bullying Campaign by sharing your stories, purchasing a wristbands and / or by becoming an Anti-Bullying Ambassador. Find out more about their amazing campaign right here.
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