http://www.drfrankryanfoundation.org/empowering-children-to-protect-themselves/
Bullying at school: Empower yourself to protect your child from bullying
Certainly, as parents we realize bullying in school is increasing. Bullying statistics for some countries in the world are quoting figures as high as 25%, or one in four children who attend school are either intimidate victims, engage in bullying themselves, or are both!
The chances are very high and increasing all the time that can be compared to an incident of bullying in middle school or high school, bullying at some point during the time your child has been in the public sector or private education system.
As a parent you even know what the signs and symptoms to look for when it comes to bullying at school or how to support a victim of bullying?
7 The key indicators of school bullying
1. Child is afraid to go to school.
2. Child often feel bad in the mornings of the school.
3. Child is skipping school or classes.
4. School grades suddenly drop.
5. Difficulty sleep or nightmares.
6. Become a "loner" and avoid social activities.
7. Talking openly about suicide or attempting it.
Obviously are only seven indicators of bullying and common sense tells us that these are just guidelines. As caring parents, who know our children, we must be always on alert to unnatural behavior in our children that give us clues that something is seriously wrong.
Positive Support for victims of bullying
Often, when faced with the evidence of bullying, as parents allow our emotions instead of our brains to control how we react. The worst thing we can do! Often, this will make things even more stressful for children.
As difficult as it may be both (and yes, I've been there, as both a parent and educator), you must put the needs of the first victim!
1. The comfort of the child. Let them know you are there for them, you care about them, and keep them safe.
2. Address security issues. Take steps to ensure that your child is staying safe of bullying at school, or thug, including contact with the school and get help from teachers and support staff.
3. Discuss effective responses to harassment with your child to help deal with situations aa face to face with the aggressor. These responses may be different depending on whether it is bullying and bullying upper middle class.
Negative Supporting victims of bullying
If your child is bullied in middle school or high school bullying, the following "traps" or negative support should be avoided.
1. Never try to justify the conduct of the stalker! Let your child know that any Bullying is wrong and no one deserves to be bullied!
2. Very important to resist the temptation to try to solve the problem of their child, unless in serious physical danger, as it tells the bully that your child is in fact "powerless."
3. Tell the child to avoid the bully simply will not solve the problem and usually only works for a short time.
4. Never, ever tell your child to "fight." Most offenders are larger and stronger, and we are looking for an excuse to physically punish their victim and impress your peers.
5. Do not confront the bully or the bully's parents alone. Their reactions can be hostile instead of sympathy, which could make things even worse for you and your child. If a meeting is necessary, be assisted a third party, such as school administration or teacher to mediate the meeting and keep things under control.
Parents learn how to recognize signs bullying at school, and support a child victim of bullying, are important first steps, but not the end of the problem. Teach children specific ways effective way to empower themselves to meet face to face middle school bullying or harassment at school is a vital skill set needed to to address this worsening social problem in our school system.
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There is no reason why, as a parent, you should not empower yourself to protect your child against bullying at school. For more information and a free report about ways to prevent bullying in school simply click on the highlighted text links
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