In this article, I wanted to offer up some advice about how to talk to kids about bullying. There is no doubt that bullying is becoming an increasing problem in our schools today. Recent statistics show that 40% of young people were bullied in the last month. The roots of this issue runs deep and can affect everyone, but especially children. Kids who are being bullied will often feel isolated and alone in the situation, which makes it even more difficult for them to come to you about it.
It is important for parents to step in when their child starts to be bullied – as I have had to do in the past with my own daughter and which I wouldn’t hesitate to do again. The reason for this is that ic can have a huge impact on whether or not that continues to happen, or happens again later on down the line.
Kids respond very well to clear and concise conversations about sensitive topics such as bullying. By communicating openly with your child, you will both be able to understand what is happening better and offer your child support when they need it most. In this blog post, I’ll share some simple tips on how you can talk to kids about bullying – and what you need to keep in mind before doing so.
Set a positive example for your child
Kids are incredibly perceptive. They can often tell whether or not you know what is happening in their lives, and they will learn a lot from how you react. Kids who see parents react negatively to bullying often end up mirroring those feelings – and this can have a huge impact on their own experience.
On the flip side, kids who see their parents reacting calmly to situations often end up doing the same. Kids learn best when they see parents being proactive and positive, since this is typically how they want to be themselves. Bullying can be a difficult topic to discuss with your child, so you want to make sure that you are setting a positive example.
The bottom line is, kids will notice if you are reactive, they will likely mimic your behaviour. Although it can be hard to stay calm when your child is hurting it’s important to stay calm. Instead, try to be proactive and put yourself in your child’s shoes. Try to understand what they are going through, and find ways to show them that you care about what is happening to them. You can do this by offering support, listening to their concerns, and helping them find ways to cope with their feelings and difficulties like role play, for example. This will help to foster a positive attitude towards bullying in your child.
Be transparent about the situation
Kids need to know that you know what is happening to them and that you are in their corner. Simply explaining to your child that they are being bullied or that they need to watch out for someone because they are being mean will not have the desired effect.
Instead, be more transparent about the situation by explaining to your child what is happening to them and what you know about the situation. There is no room for reading between the lines here. This will allow you to show that you know what is happening and that you are there to support your child.
This is a great opportunity to open up a dialogue with your child, and allow them to ask you questions about how you are feeling and what is happening in your life or how you have perhaps dealt with similar situations in the past. This can be a great way to discuss what is happening to your child and help them to better understand the situation.
Talk about the facts, not the rumors
Kids are often intrigued by the negative things they hear about others, and they will often end up believing them. You do not want to allow this to happen, as it can have a negative impact on your child. Bullying is a serious issue that can have a lasting impact on your child’s life, and it can feel very isolating. By believing the rumors, your child might assume that they are the ones being bullied and can feel angry and upset by this.
Instead, try to cut through the rumours and talk to your child in straight terms about what is actually going on. By keeping it simple, you can discuss the facts about the situation. Moreover, by staying away from the rumors, you can help your child to understand the situation better.
Keep it simple and stick to your message
Kids respond very well to straightforward and simple conversations. This is something that you can use to your advantage. By keeping it simple and sticking to your message, you can help your child to understand the situation better and to feel less isolated by the situation.
By keeping it simple, what I mean here is that you should avoid getting caught up in the details of the situation. This does not mean that you should try to ignore what is happening to your child, but it does mean that you should avoid getting too caught up in the nitty gritty he said she said of the situation and that you should keep it simple by discussing the facts. When you are discussing the facts, avoid getting into the rumors as above, as that is usually a slippery slope. Instead, focus on what is actually happening and on what you know about the situation.
Watch for non-verbal cues
When you are talking to your child about what is happening to them, it is important that you keep an eye out for non-verbal cues. Kids are very expressive, and they will often indicate to you how they feel by using different non-verbal cues like body language or nervous behaviour. When you are talking to your child, be sure to keep an eye out for these cues.
If your child is not feeling comfortable with the conversation, they will likely be using these cues to express how they feel. When this happens, try to re-phrase what you are saying so as to be more comfortable for your child and reduce the feelings of isolation that bullying can leave in its wake.
Conclusion
If your child feels like they are being bullied, it is important that you try to make them feel comfortable and understand that you are in their corner. It is a good idea to try to avoid getting caught up in the details of the situation and to keep it simple, while sticking to your message. Kids will often respond well to straightforward conversations, and they will understand what is happening better if you keep it simple. By staying focused and sticking to your message, you can help your child to feel less isolated by the situation and to feel more comfortable in the situation.
Some useful resources if you think your child is being bullied:
Your child is being bullied. Now what?
