I Think My Child is Bullying

What can parents do if their child is bullying others?
Encouraging your child not to bully others

What can parents do if their child is bullying others?

All children are capable of bullying at some time and it is important for parents to respond in a calm and helpful manner.

Sometimes children are unaware of the effects bullying behaviour can have on others. It may be useful to use stories or television to show children examples of bullying behaviours and the effects of these behaviours.

Discuss with your children positive ways to develop friendships and socialise with other children.

Explain the concepts of cooperation and negotiation.

For example:

Younger children: sharing, caring, taking turns, joining in.
Older children: caring about other people’s feelings, respect,
communication.

Provide opportunities for your child to be involved in social situations, which foster cooperation and communication.

Encouraging your children not to bully others

Parents can:

Talk about bullying with children and about what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, e.g. should we tease people because they look different?
Discuss the issue of bullying together with their family and establish a common understanding of what behaviour is acceptable and what is not.
Work together with their family to establish simple rules and expectations amongst the family members.
Encourage and provide opportunities for their child to openly discuss issues with the family.
Consistently enforce family rules and give positive reinforcement and praise when children follow these rules.
Make sure their children understand the consequences of positive as well as negative behaviour.
Discuss friendship and cooperation and help their children develop skills in these areas.
Support and encourage their children to develop friendships and social skills both within the school environment and in other areas of their lives.

Discuss and model positive examples of setting and achieving goals and feeling good about themselves. Support your children in their efforts to use positive strategies.

LET’S TALK

Try this communication activity together.

Find a quiet place with just you and your child.
Start with the first question.
Listen to the response and try re-stating your child’s answer in your own words, e.g. you are saying…

Encourage your child to talk more by giving plenty of time for answers.

Questions (Use your own questions if you wish)

If you saw your friend being teased how would you feel?
What could you do?
If your friend asked you to help bully another child, how would this make you feel?
What could you do?
Who would you talk to if you were bullied?

What would you do if you were bullied? Why? Why not?