First of all you need to know why this happens. Bullies tend to gain power by feeding on the self-esteem of their victims. It’s therefore essential that parents be able to identify the tell-tale signs of bullying and are able to protect their children against bullying in schools But the question is, what signs should one look out for?
In order to identify whether your child is a possible target you need to observe your child’s behavior and look for obvious signs that he/she might be a target. Does your child wear strange or outlandish clothing? Does he/she walk slumped with head down? Does your child prefer to sit alone while other children play? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then you’re child could be a victim of bullying in schools. It’s difficult and almost impossible to eradicate bullying in schools however, a few things can be done to help decrease the chances of your child becoming a victim of bullying in schools.
Your child will learn from the way you handle everyday situations and behave accordingly. When around your child carry yourself well. If one parent bullies another, your child will pick up on this behavior. Also avoid intervening in your child’s squabbles with other children, except in serious instances, as your child must learn to stand up for him or herself. Bullies often target children who are too afraid to stand up for themselves.
Encourage your child to talk to you if they encounter bullying in schools even if other children are the victims. Also encourage them to make and accept their own mistakes. Teach them to laugh their mistakes off and not be too hard on themselves as this is something a bully will feed on.
Remember as well that while you are looking for signs that your child is being bullied bullying in schools can also see your child dishing out the abuse to other children. Once again pay attention to your behavior in front of your children as they will pick up on domineering behavior. Have house rules your child must abide by and ensure there is both supervision and discipline. There is a fine line between raising a bully and raising a victim. Take note of the tips above to ensure that you are raising a happy child who is neither being bullied nor bullying other children.