P arents bring tiny angels into the world, hoping to give them the best life. However, the misfortune is that more than often, as these kids grow up external involvement increases and parents are unable to protect their children from the cruel parts of the world. Are you wondering how to help a child who is being bullied? Read on to learn how to help your child when they encounter a bully. If we could, we could keep our children in a bubble safe and secure with us, but that's not possible. So, here is what we can do:
Getting bullied is a terrible experience. Any child experiencing it will be going through a range of emotions, and out of them all, self-doubt will often take over and affect the child greatly. In all such situations, if you become aware of the bullying, the first thing you need to do as an adult offers your child reassurance. Be a good listener and reassure them that they made the right decision to come to you. Keep reassuring them that whatever's taking place has nothing to do with how they are as individuals and more with how the bully is.
If you happen to be a hot-headed individual, you might be tempted to go ahead and ask your child to physically fight back. However, retaliation in the form of physical violence can lead to a lot of additional troubles for your child. The bully might get hurt extensively and your innocent kid might be termed as the trouble maker, or the violence might get worse and see heights that turn fatal.
Now that the child has opened up to you, it is time to give them the freedom to make their choice about how they want to handle the situation. Let them know that you will be there to support them every step of the way. Reassure your child that you won't be making any hasty decisions on their behalf and that they are in complete control. To help the child make the right decision, you need to assist them in determining what their options are. Guide them with all the steps they can take in the future to avoid landing in such troublesome situations. This way, you will prove to be a guiding light while the kid handles the situation.
Something as traumatizing as bullying can have the effect of lowering the child's self-confidence. While you help them deal with the bully, make sure you give them some time every day to work on building up their confidence. This can be done by investing them in various after-school activities. Try to figure out what your child is interested in and get them into it. Another efficient way of building confidence is by helping them get into newer, healthier friendships that make the child feel secure and loved.
While all of that was crucial, the next essential step is to take charge of the situation- with your child's consent, of course. Head over to the institute and contact an authority figure there. As an adult, you need to ensure that the environment your child spends 5-8 hours of a day is safe and secure, both mentally and physically. Talk to the school about their behavior policies and the consequences for bullies. Make a complaint to bring the bullying to light while maintaining all confidentiality.
Most children tend to keep the bullying a secret from adults in fear of further threats by the bully or because of low self-esteem. This is why it is your job as an adult to keep an eye out for signs that could indicate bullying. Common warning signs include kids avoiding certain events (like taking lunch from home or riding the bus), feeling anxious, not sleeping well, not eating like they normally would, or a general discomfort towards school.
According to data from the National Crime Victimization Survey, one of every five students- about 20% of kids- has gone ahead and reported being bullied. It's time to end the abuse and give your child a safe space. We hope our tips on how to help a child who is being bullied are arable to aid you.
