Raising children is the toughest job in the world! As parents/carers we are told that it is our job to protect our children and bring them up to be good, responsible people. Therefore, if you find out your child is being bullied, or you are told they are bullying someone else, you are likely to have a range of feelings that you may need to work through so that you can help your child effectively. You will also need information about the processes you may need to go through to get the situation sorted out.
Any child or young person can be bullied, and any child or young person can bully others. Here are some general things you can do to help prevent and tackle bullying:
- Talk with your child about their life, friends and school whenever you get the chance. This will help you identify any possible problems.
- Children learn from the examples we set them—so show them what is acceptable behaviour and what isn’t. Children who live in a home where people bully each other can learn to bully or to think it’s OK when other people bully them.
- Changing schools can be difficult for some children as they have to sort out new friendships and how to cope in a different environment. If you are concerned at any point, talk with their teacher.
- Children and young people do have to learn about relationships—and falling out with people is part of that process. There will also be battles for power within groups, which may be unpleasant at times. However there is a difference between the normal ups and downs of relationships and bullying. If you are worried, do something. No one deserves to be bullied.
- Schools have a duty to keep children safe from bullying and to promote positive behaviour. They must by law have an anti-bullying policy, outlining how they will reduce and respond to bullying. You can ask to see this at any time.
- Bullying that happens outside school can be harder to tackle but youth and community centres and the police may all be able to help, depending on what is happening and where it is. Schools also now have powers to take action about bullying that occurs outside of school, as far as is reasonable , once they are aware of it - so bullying on the street or buses, for example, could lead to action being taken by a school.
If your child is being bullied or bullying others, one thing that can make it much more complicated is if the parents/carers of the children or young people involved take it out on each other. This can happen especially in primary schools, where parents often see each other in the playground. Sometimes even minor bullying issues can become much bigger because of the parents ‘fighting’ about it. This doesn’t help the children – so try to avoid it and try and keep your feelings about other parents out of the situation your child is in.
Follow the links below for more information.
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