When someone is bullying your child…

Spot the signs

Many parents are unaware that their child is being bullied – part of the problem is that kids don’t want to talk about it. Often they feel ashamed, concerned the bullying will increase if they talk about it, or they may worry about how their parents will respond. Signs your child is being bullied may include:

• Frequent headaches and tummy aches – especially on school days.
• Change in eating habits.
• Tearfulness or increased angry outbursts at home.
• Reluctance to attend school.
• Nightmares of difficulty sleeping.
• Changes in performance at school.

How can parents help?

Research shows that warm and responsive parental responses play an important role in developing children’s resilience to bullying. If your child tells you they are being bullied:

• Listen with the intent to understand your child’s experience and how they feel. If you tend to have strong emotional reactions, try not to overreact. It is also important not to dismiss your child’s experience – bullying is not a normal part of growing up.
• Validate their experience. After listening, take a moment to let your child know that you understand and that how they feel is valid. Remind them it is not their fault.
• Praise them. Let them know they did the right thing by telling you and that bullying is never ok.

Brainstorm strategies together

• Standing up to the bully by being assertive (role play this with your child).
• Not showing the bully that you are upset.
• Avoiding the bully or bullies in the playground or sitting near teachers at lunch or recess.
• Build resiliency at home. Encourage your child to build positive friendships, increase play dates/hangouts with friends, and build a sense of mastery and self-esteem through engagement in out of school activities.
• Approach the school. If your child is unable to solve the problem quickly through these and other strategies, you may need to approach the child’s teacher or year coordinator. Ask the teacher if they can help to keep your child safe and assist in resolving the issue.

When nothing works

Despite the best efforts by parents, sometimes bullying continues. If this is your family’s experience you may need to consider moving your child to another school. Involve your child in this decision and remember that no one should ever have to endure bullying. Giving our children this clear message early in life, teaches them an important life-long lesson.

If you are distressed and in need of urgent support please call or visit: Lifeline (13 11 14) www.lifeline.org.au; Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) www.kidshelpline.com.au; eheadspace (1800 650 890) www.eheadspace.org.au. The Office of the Children’s eSafety Cybersmart also provides cyber safety information for young children; teens and parents. It also has an online helpline for young people who have had negative online experiences like cyber bullying.

Our team is experienced in working with teenagers and young adults.

More information

If you would like to learn more or book an appointment with one of our experienced clinical psychologists, contact our friendly client team by calling 6143 4499 or email via our contact page.