Parental Advice
Parents often have the unenviable task of having to deal with a child that has experienced some degree of bullying.
The way that a parent deals with this situation can have an effect on the child, whether this effect is positive or negative. The following is some practical advice to help deal with your child’s situation.
Take a Calm Approach
Most cases of bullying occur in a classroom environment. When a child or teen leaves the safety of the home, parents can feel helpless. With bullying coming to the forefront in recent years, schools have been trying to address the problem of bullying. Nevertheless, bullying will likely occur in some form.
A parents natural reaction is anger directed at the situation, and an expectancy of a rapid solution. This expectation is often unrealistic, and a degree of restraint must be applied in this situation.
Schools have stepped up their efforts to address bullying in the light of tragic events in recent years. Nevertheless, bullying will certainly occur in some form. Stepping back and addressing the problem in a calm and reasonable manner can have a dramatic impact on the result.
Never Blame the Child
Unfortunately, in many instances, a parent will assume that the child has some responsibility in the matter. Bullying is more often a psychological problem with the aggressor, and the victim is an innocent target.
Understanding and honesty need to be exercised when speaking with the victim. A parent needs to assure the child that the situation is not their fault, and provide support. Draw comparisons from life experience to help the child understand the situation. A victim of bullying may have no idea why they are being targeted, and usually there is no rational reason. Explain that this is an issue with the aggressor, and assure them that measures will be taken to rectify the situation.
Take Appropriate Action
The next step is to take action. Contact the parents of the bully, and also contact your child’s school. While staying calm, you need to deal with the situation. Ignoring the problem is no solution. While talking with the parents of the aggressor, try to emphasize the effect this is having on the child. Proper parents will feel empathy, and deal with their child in the appropriate manner.
This being said, the parents or parent could be a contributor in the situation. Bullying often results from misdirected anger. If the parents are unresponsive or simply do not care, you will have to look for help elsewhere. Schedule a meeting with the school principle or a school counselor. See if there are any steps that can be taken to remove your child from this situation. Persistence is a trait that can bring amazing results.
Bullying is a problem that plagues our society. Addressing this unfortunate situation in a reasonable manner can have a dramatic effect on the outcome.
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