At one point or another, every child will experience some form of bullying. Children tend to experience the most bullying in their middle school years, as the transition from childhood to adolescence begins. Bullying occurs in both the physical and emotional form and can be very damaging to a child’s sense of self.  

Signs that your child may be bullied
Many children that get bullied are embarrassed to talk about it or don’t want to report it. It is important to talk with your child on a daily basis and get involved with their daily school routine. If your child is displaying any of the following signs, they may be getting bullied at school.

    •    Withdrawing socially
    •    They complain frequently of illnesses
    •    Talking about running away
    •    Mood swings, such as frequent crying
    •    Trying to avoid attending certain classes or going to school
    •    Reporting that things are “lost”

What to do if your child is being bullied
The best way to help your child if they are being bullied is to provide them with love and support. If your child tells you they are being bullied at school, ask them questions and learn more about the situation. The next step is to get involved. You may want to talk with a couple teachers, your child’s coach or other parents to get advice and try to better understand the situation.

How to keep your kid from bullying
Maintaining a healthy and loving home environment is the best way to prevent your child from bullying. Each child needs to learn the importance of treating others with respect, as well as respecting themselves. Instilling confidence and self-esteem in your child is also important, as a strong sense of self and positive reinforcement at home will prevent your child from emotionally or physically bullying another child.

Bullying hurts everyone, so take time to prepare yourself for your child’s middle school and high school years. Develop a plan of attack if the situation arrives and talk with your child about it as a preventative measure.

Additional Resources
    •    Bullying Is Not a Fact of Life, Take Time To Talk About Bullying
    •    Take Action Against Bullying
    •    Stop Bullying Now!
    •    Bullying Among Children & Youth
    •    Cyberbullying
    •    The Bully Roundup
    •    Bullying and Your Child, Dealing with Bullies
    •    What Kids Say About Bullying
    •    When Your Child is a Bully, Bullying, Girls and Bullying
    •    Delete Cyberbullying
    •    Friendships – Helping Your Child Through Early Adolescence