{"id":2730,"date":"2022-10-05T13:59:20","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T05:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/?p=2730"},"modified":"2024-04-30T11:45:50","modified_gmt":"2024-04-30T03:45:50","slug":"a-parents-guide-for-how-to-deal-with-bullies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.lat\/blog\/a-parents-guide-for-how-to-deal-with-bullies\/","title":{"rendered":"A parent’s guide for how to deal with bullies"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s every parent\u2019s worst nightmare to have their kids tell them they\u2019re being bullied – but count yourself lucky if your child opens up to you. Many cases of bullying go unnoticed either because the victim is intimidated by the bully, doesn\u2019t have the guts to speak up, or is worried about how the adults in question will respond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this <\/span>Pacific Prime Latin America<\/span><\/a> article, we\u2019ll give parents all the tools they need to deal with bullies, including understanding the types of bullying, the signs of bullying, and how to respond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Family<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Bullying exists in many shapes and forms<\/span><\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s start with definitions. <\/span>Bullying<\/span><\/a> is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships, through repeated verbal, physical, and\/or social behavior that aims to cause physical, social, and\/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group, and can take place both in-person and online in the <\/span>following ways<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical bullying\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Whether it involves hitting, punching, kicking, shoving, or damaging property, physical bullying involves using force and\/or one\u2019s body to harm others. It’s often the most obvious and easily recognizable type of bullying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Verbal bullying\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Where words, statements, and name-calling is used to gain power and control over a target, verbal bullying is said to occur. It\u2019s a lot harder to identify because it tends to occur when adults aren\u2019t around and is often one person\u2019s word against another\u2019s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Social bullying\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Often referred to as relational aggression, social bullying involves hurting the social standing of others through gossipping, spreading rumors, and manipulating situations. It\u2019s even harder to recognize than verbal bullying because the original perpetrator may not be known.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cyber bullying\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The internet has also provided many opportunities for cyber bullying such as posting embarrassing images, making online threats, and sending hurtful emails or texts. It allows bullies to remain anonymous, and get to the victim anytime and anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recognizing and dealing with bullying<\/span><\/h2>\n

Has your child come home with a broken limb, visible scars, or made physical complaints like tummy aches? Or maybe they seemed worried and anxious about going to school or meeting their peers? Do you notice any behavior changes like loss of appetite, increased aggression, or even poor self-esteem?<\/span><\/p>\n

While these situations don\u2019t necessarily mean your child is a victim of bullying, they\u2019re situations that require you to probe deeper and find out what\u2019s going on. Depending on your child’s age and the situation at hand, ask questions about their social situation. Find out who they\u2019re getting along with and who they\u2019re hesitant to talk about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you suspect a case of bullying or if your child has opened up to you, make sure to ask for more details. Try not to get angry, frustrated, overreact, or do things in a haste that makes your child less inclined to talk to you in the future. Your child needs you to listen, reassure, and support them, as well as to be strong and stable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, different types and scales of bullying will warrant different responses from you. Some situations will require more urgency and intervention from you, while others may require you to mentally prepare your child for dealing with the bullies and learning to stand up for themselves – a vital skill that they\u2019ll take with them into adulthood. Here\u2019s how you can do it:<\/span><\/p>\n

Build your child\u2019s confidence<\/span><\/h3>\n

If your child feels better about themselves, bullying is less likely to affect their self-esteem. Encourage hobbies, extra curricular activities, and social situations that bring out the best in them, and make sure you point out their strengths, unique qualities, and positive behaviors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maintain a two-way line of communication\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Do check in with your child everyday about their time at school in a calm and friendly manner. This creates a safe environment and an opportunity for your child to open up to you about their struggles (if any). Emphasize that no problem is too small to bring up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Empower them with tactics to ward off bullies\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important to let your child know that they\u2019re not alone in their problems and that you\u2019re there for them every step of the way. However, it can also be a good idea to tell them how to address bullying and potentially stop it from escalating. Some tactics to share with them include:<\/span><\/p>\n