Bullying
by jmmillerYour child has always enjoyed learning, but lately doesn’t want to go to school. Mystery illnesses begin popping up and seem to get worse when its time for school. It is likely not the dinner from last night upsetting their tummies; they could be experiencing problems with a schoolyard bully.
Bullies tend to take the fun out of school, and make normal everyday activities scary to the children they bully. Children that are bullied usually experience low self-esteem and depression. Those who bully may engage in destructive or antisocial behavior. Bullies often pick on others to feel powerful or popular. They usually antagonize the same children repeatedly.
86 % of more than twelve hundred 9 – 13 year old boys and girls polled said they have seen someone being bullied, 48 % have been bullied and 42 % have been a bully. If your child is being bullied, you can reduce fear and intimidation by offering your help. If your child is the one bulling, you need to emphasize that this is very unacceptable.
Bullying isn’t often easy to define. A black eye is usually a concrete sign your child is a victim of bullying. There are some other signs you can look for, but are sometimes hard to spot.
Cyber Bullying – This is a new method of bullying. This form of bullying can occur through instant messaging, email, and Internet chat rooms. Other electronic gadgets aid in this as well (for example, camera cell phones). Bullies can forward hurtful images and messages to or about another child.
Emotional Bullying – This can be subtle and can involve excluding a child from activities, or spreading rumors. This type of bullying is more common in girls.
Physical Bullying – This often accompanies verbal bullying. It can involve hitting, biting, kicking, pinching, hair pulling and threats.
Racist Bullying – This is where the bully preys on children through offensive gestures, racial slurs or making jokes about races.
Sexual Bullying – This involves unwanted contact physically or sexually. This includes inappropriate comments.
Verbal Bullying – It involves name-calling, mocking or laughing at the child’s expense.
There are many reasons that children bully. They often choose people that would tend not to retaliate. Children that are insecure or anxious are often seen as easy targets for a bully.
Children may bully due to a difficult situation at home like a divorce. Some signs your child is being bullied are:
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Inventing mysterious illnesses
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Bedwetting
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Missing belongings or money
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Irritability
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Poor concentration
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Problems with school work
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Sleeping problems
You can talk to the school principal about the schools policy on bullying. Help is needed for both sides, the child being bullied as well as the bully.
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