Being bullied at school is not a petty issue.
The emotional trauma that a child undergoes when he or she is being constantly bullied at school remains well into adulthood and is likely to cause long-term emotional issues.
The most long-lasting problems stay with children who do not receive adequate support from their parents.
Is your child being bullied?
Some of the signs that your child may be getting bullied in school are:
- unusual aggression and unreasonableness
- unexplained bruises and cuts
- unexplained loss of school things
- nightmares and bed wetting
- poor academic performance
- silent and withdrawn behavior
- avoiding school
- avoiding friends
- falling sick more frequently and complaining of headaches and stomachaches
- sudden refusal to eat meals
- coming home feeling very hungry
Why won’t my child speak to me?
A child who is getting bullied may not always want to speak to a trusted adult about it due to several reasons:
- A child feels helpless when he is being bullied. He does not want to tell an adult because it would mean that he cannot handle it. By trying to manage the problem on his own, he tries to feel powerful again.
- A child may feel scared that he will be bullied further if he tells an adult about it.
- A bullied child often feels lonely and isolated. He thinks nobody cares about what happens to him.
- A child who is being bullied may not speak to an adult for fear of losing his friends. The support of friends often protects him from being bullied and he does not want to lose that security blanket.
What should I do?
If you discover or suspect that your child is being bullied, you should talk to him. Initially, they will be hesitant to speak to you. If you are persistent, they are likely to open up to you eventually.
Do not judge them or criticize them for not being able to “fight back.”
Try to find out more about the bullying incidents by speaking to your child’s teachers at school. After you have gathered enough evidence, speak to an authority in the school who can help stop the bullying.
If you’re not sure how to take the first step toward solving the problem, you can participate in online discussion forums where professionals give medical advice.
You could also speak to psychological counselors online at AskMile for Free.
