“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.” ―Maya Angelou
Targeted bullying, teasing, name-calling, and abusing are sadly more common today than in the generation before the millennials’. If you have a child who’s being bullied at school, or if you know someone who needs advice on handling such a situation, this article is for you. The following are some tips to help you sail through.
- Keep your calm: We all tend to react strongly in the face of adversity. This is why we think it is important for you, as a mother, to stay strong and look at the positive side of things.
Instead of thinking of your child as a victim, look at it as an opportunity for him/her to grow into a stronger person. Remember that your child only draws courage from you. - Listen: You might already know that being bullied leaves deep scars on your child’s confidence and self-esteem. Before you react strongly or blame your child for what happened, remember to listen to everything he has to say. After you listen to your child’s version of the incident, don’t brush it off as unimportant. It is important for your child to understand that you are always there to support him if he needs help.
- Talk to his friends and teachers: We all love our kids immensely. Even the idea that they are being harmed can be deeply painful. We understand this. However, before you react to what your child reported, always find out the other side of the story. Your child’s friends and teachers can help you understand the situation from both the sides.
- Talk to your child: Bullies draw strength from our fear. Help your child understand that he is not alone. It is important for him to know that he is just as strong and competent as any of his peers. Let him see that those who bully others often do it to seek attention, or to feel better about themselves. Bullies often suffer from their own insecurities. When your child sees that bullies are not inherently bad people, he will develop an attitude of courage and tolerance. Your child needs to know that he can approach his friends, parents, or teachers if the situation gets really out of hand.
- Ask for help: Bullied kids may become reclusive and taciturn. You may not always be able to get your child to talk to you. In such cases, ask support from your spouse, teachers, or a counsellor. This will help keep your own emotions in check, and also helps you take more rigid decisions.
It is natural for us to react to such incidents with hatred for the bully. This is why we need to remember that the best way to combat hatred is through love. Some courage, lots of love, and a calm head can help you sail through tough times without too much trouble. We wish you good luck and great happiness!