5 Signs That Your Child May Be Being Bullied at School
Being a parent in today’s world can be scary! You want your child to do well in school and be well adjusted. You also don’t want them to be bullied. But, how do you know if they are being bullied?
Here are 5 signs that your child may be being bullied at school.
Sign #1 – Their mood has suddenly changed
Now, I know that teenagers can be sullen, but have you noticed that your child has suddenly gotten uncharacteristically quiet and reserved? This could be a sign that they are being bullied.
Sign #2 – Their sleep patterns have changed
Is your child sleeping a lot more than they used to? Or are they sleeping a lot less? Stress can cause your child’s sleep pattern to change. Definitely something to watch for.
Sign #3 – Their study habits have changed
Has your child who used to LOVE school started to refuse to do their homework? Do they not seem to care what grades they get? Are they getting in trouble at school? Maybe it’s time to talk to them about what’s going on.
Sign #4 – Their social patterns have changed
Is your social butterfly a lot happier staying home than they used to be? Have they stopped talking about their friends? Bullying makes you feel alone so children who are bullied often retreat into themselves to cope. This is the time when they shouldn’t feel alone! Sit them down and tell them that. That you’re in this together!
Sign #5 – They are showing signs of stress
In reality, all of these are signs of stress, but are they showing any other signs of stress? Are they eating a lot more than they used to? Are they not eating at all? Are they quicker to get angry? Do they cry often? These are all signs of stress and should be taken seriously.
If we as parents and advocates watch for these symptoms of bullying, then we can help our children if they are being bullied.
But here’s the hard part. Children often don’t want to share negative things that are happening in their lives. As I said, bullying makes a child feel alone and that makes them less likely to come to you with their worries.
If you know the symptoms, you can sit them down and explain to them that you are on their side. That you’re in this together. And if they can’t speak to you as the parent, encourage them to speak to another trusted adult. A teacher, a coach, or even a school administrator. As long as they’re talking to someone, we can begin to help them!
Bullying is an unfortunate thing we need to worry about with our kids, but now that you know what to look for, you can be better prepared to help your child if they are being bullied.
They are not alone in this and neither are you!
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