This month acknowledges Bullying Prevention and it has become a widespread problem for many young children. Whether it’s physical bullying or cyberbullying, this type of abuse could leave some psychological consequences for a young person. If you’re a parent who has a child dealing with incessant teasing and abuse from other children, you are not alone. Fortunately, there are ways you can help your child cope with incessant bullying.
Help your Child Open Up
The first important thing you must do is to encourage your child to talk to you. Your child should be able to come to you whenever they have a problem. Being approachable and a good listener is very vital. If this bullying problem is affecting your child’s behavior, reassure him or her that you are there for them. Some children are emotional and need a shoulder to cry on. Be that type of parent who makes it easy for your child to approach you.
Teach your Child How to Respond to Bullying
Along with being a good listener, you have to teach your child to respond in the right way. Your child’s response could make the situation better or worse. Giving your child advice on retaliating will only cause the bullying to intensify. So what should you advise your child to do instead?
Try talking to your child about more effective strategies in responding. Encourage him or her to walk away from the situation. Sometimes, the best response is no response at all. Recommend that he or she tells a trusted adult like a teacher that they are being bullied. Also, be sure to thoroughly explain to your child that refusing to fight back doesn’t make them weak. It only makes them stronger.
Strategies in Protection from Cyberbullying
Another form of bullying that children commonly face is cyberbullying. This is when they start facing bullying from other youths online, normally on social media. Many children have been experiencing this form of bullying. If you have a child being harassed online, there are measures you can take to protect them. You can advise your child to do the following:
- Don’t accept friend requests from unfamiliar people.
- Don’t reply or forward any cyberbullying content.
- Don’t share any private photos or videos you wouldn’t share with a parent.
- Block users known for bullying online.
Whether it’s online or offline, protecting your child from harmful bullying should be vital in your life. What tips do you have for protecting your child from incessant bullying? Feel free to share them in the comments section below. You could also like or share this post with a hardworking parent that you know.
