Talking to Your Child about Bullying

Having a talk with your child about bullying can be one of the most important conversations you’ve ever had with him or her. It is important to understand that bullying has been going on for a long time but over recent years, it has increased to the extent that there are organizations that have been formed just for the purpose of putting an end to the bullying that many children and teens are experiencing on a regular basis. Do you know how to talk to your child about bullying? Does your child understand how you feel about bullying? Is your child able to come to you and talk if someone is bullying them? Are you and your child available of the school resources and staff that can help with a problem of bullying at school?  

The answers to these questions can have a significant impact on your peace of mind and your child’s attitude towards school and life in general. The first step to getting these answers is understanding the different forms of bullying that now exist. Bullying is done in many different ways now including verbal bullying which is by name calling, teasing and degrading. Emotional bullying is done by social exclusion or intimidation such as ostracizing. Physically bullying involves punching, hitting, shoving, slapping or any other form of unwanted physical contact.

Now that you understand the many different ways that bullying can occur, you have a solid foundation to start a talk with your child about bullying. It is important that even if you don’t suspect your child of bullying, you should still have a talk with him or her about making sure that they are not bullying other children. Some of the forms of bullying have far reaching consequences that go beyond just making your child feel bad.  

The good news is that you don’t have to stand by and wring your hands wondering what to do. If you are looking to start a talk with your child about being bullied but aren’t sure what to say or how to start, you can approach the staff at your child’s school. This talk can be as simple as sharing the concerns you have about your child and asking a few questions. Find out how your child gets along with others. Ask what they do in their free time. If you suspect your child is being bullied, ask direct questions about all types of bullying to make sure the staff understands your concerns.

Your child’s teacher may be the best starting resource but if you are not satisfied with the talk or the results of the discussion, you have every right to take your concerns to the next level such as the guidance counselor at school or the school’s principal. This creates an informed foundation where you can feel confident and comfortable talking to your child about bullying.