Although a lot has been written about bullying, and we mean a lo. Children all around the world are still being bullied and their parents sometimes know nothing about it. As a mum, you must wonder, how can I tell if my kid is being bullied?
Bullying, like so many other things, has evolved with technology. Not to be left behind. It found its way into cyberspace causing havoc, distress and agony to children all over the world.
Unfortunately bullying affects kids of all ages and comes in all shapes and sizes. It ranges from physical to mental. Here, we will be focusing on general signs that your child is being bullied.
Even though we face our kids being bullied in both worlds, the physical and the cyber one. There are consistent signs that your child has a bully. Of course, all children are different and sometimes the signs are not so easily spotted. But more times than not, there are some giveaways and parents have to be alert to them.
Signs that a child is bullied:
– Withdrawal.
Your child has been particularly quiet and withdrawn, maybe not participating in family talk and spending more time alone.
– Appetite is down with a subsequent loss of weight.
While some children aren’t big eaters, your child’s eating habits can be a giveaway that something off kilter is happening in their lives.
– A sudden reluctance to go to school.
Whether its sudden inexplicable tummy aches (spotting the real aches from the fakes is an art in itself) or a downright refusal to go to school, there is something going on that needs attention.
– Sudden outbursts of emotion.
While children are known for sudden bursts of emotion, parents, especially mums, can separate the run of the mill ones from the downright weird ones.
– Sleep too much or too little.
– Seems anxious, needy, ashamed or self-critical.
Bullying symptoms can be so subtle that they can run over the course of weeks, months and sometimes years. The symptoms can become a part of your child’s character without you even realizing it. Spotting the symptoms early on is essential in tackling the issue. This way it will not have long-lasting damaging effects on your child. In addition, spending consistent quality time with them is key. It will help you spot any subtle differences in their demeanor and character.
No matter how close you are to your child and how hands on you are. Sometimes things can slip through the cracks and the signs are so subtle they are easily missed. Your child acting out of character here and there is normal. And you don’t want to be a helicopter parent constantly hovering over your kids. However, mothers have an amazing and unparalleled instinct. Especially when it comes to their kids and you should trust that instinct. If you feel that something is not right with your child, chances are you are right.
