Dealing with bullying can be a challenging task for all of the people involved. If it is not swiftly dealt with, it can lead to negative effects on the one being bullied in both his mental and physical health.
Bullying is a serious matter and every parent should know not only when to step in but also how to do it properly. Dealing with bullying in the best possible way would mean stopping it as soon as possible before more harm is inflicted. Continue reading to know how you can do just that.
Coordinate with the school
Since most cases of bullying happen in school, resolving it should first be the responsibility of school staff including the teachers and admin. However, once your child comes home and reports any incident of bullying that has happened to him, you should immediately coordinate with the school.
There can be many ways to do this depending on the circumstances of the incident. For example, if your child tells you that his classmate has repeatedly been teasing him to the point where he already feels very uncomfortable, then a written letter of concern could be the proper response. If a physical altercation occurred, showing up personally to talk to his adviser or teacher can be warranted.
Overreacting when confronted with situations such as these does little to help fix the problem. Avoid confronting the bully or his parents directly as that can make matters worse.
Keep it a private matter
Given how alarming some bullying cases can be, it might be tempting for parents to broadcast the issue publicly through social media or by word of mouth to attract attention and put pressure on the school to take action. However, you should avoid doing this at all costs because it does little to help the situation of your child. Increased attention can make your child anxious or embarrassed at school and this can affect his academic performance and social life.
Avoid involving the media because this attracts unnecessary attention to you and the bully’s family. Given how easy it is to be ‘viral’ or trending online and how active netizens are in this digital age, cyber-bullying and public shaming are very possible repercussions. There are little-to-no benefits that come with this, so practice restraint and be mindful of how you react online, especially on popular social media platforms.
Key Takeaway
Parents have a duty to protect their children and dealing with bullying is part of the job. Remember to approach these situations with the right mindset and knowing what to do and what to avoid. Don’t forget to practice honest and open communication with your child so that he won’t hesitate to tell you whenever something unfortunate like bullying should occur.
