Teen Bullying
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Some people believe that bullying is just a fact of
life that kids have to deal with. The problem is that these situations
are often quite severe and could even lead to death and suicide in some
cases. Even if the situation doesn’t get to that point, it can still
have an emotional toll on your child. Here are some ways to tell if your
child is being bullied and what to do if they are.
The first step to dealing with your child being bullied is to know it’s
happening. Most children aren’t going to open up and tell you what’s
going on; you have to be perceptive. The first sign is inventing ways to
get out of school or certain situations. Bullied teens may also have
trouble sleeping and concentrating. They can become depressed,
irritable, or even physically ill. The best method is to know your
child’s regular routine and look for any changes.
If possible, they should avoid dealing with a bully altogether. If a
bully is in a particular hallway, take a different route to class. This
shouldn’t be taken too far though; your child shouldn’t have to
drastically alter their lives to avoid being attacked. But most bullies
feed on reaction; if confronted the best action is to just walk away.
If they can’t avoid the bully, your teen should know how to deal with
being around the bullies. Tell them to stand strong and talk forcefully;
convince the bully that they can’t be pushed around. Never tell your
child to resort to physical violence. This often just escalates the
problem.
Schools are responsible for keeping children safe; that includes
protecting them from each other. While some schools at times don’t seem
so concerned if a teen is being teased or harassed, they should take
action if your child is being physically or sexually attacked or
threatened. Be sure to inform them of any incidences that may occur and
follow up to see that action is being taken. If you’ve contacted the
school repeatedly, go to the PTA or the school board. Find some way to
make them listen and make changes.
The most important step to take when your child is being bullied is to
restore their self confidence. Let them know that there’s nothing wrong
with them, no matter what other people say. Feeling loved and accepted
is the first step to recovery.
