Parents and Carers
Parents and Bullying
Signs of bullying:
Emotional signs
Spending time alone/prefers isolation and not willing to talk
Unusual change in eating behaviors
Feeling agitated
Avoiding meeting friends
Showing signs of anxiety which is not seen usually
Physical signs
Changes in sleeping pattern
Bed wetting
Consistently complaining of stomachache or headache
Signs of bodily harm such as cuts, bruises which are unexplainable
Advice for parents/caregiver
Listen calmly and offer support if child opens about being bullied
Admire you child for doing right thing by talking about bullying
Reassure your child that you are with him/her and will provide support
Take your child seriously
Reasons of bullying
Compensating for their own unhappiness or feeling of being powerless
Lack of attention in household
To exercise power on others
Past experiences of bullying or abuse
Be stressed, depressed or feel rejected
Have low self-esteem
Not accepting the difference with others such as gender, caste, appearance, race, ethnicity, color etc.
Non shaming approach
Research shows Blaming and shaming has no effect on behavior of bully
Instead generating empathy towards the victim, condemning the behavior can change bully’s intention
Ways to seek help
Report bullying to teacher, school counsellor, principal
Learn about the school's policy on bullying, document instances of bullying and keep records
Following up with the school to see what actions are being taken
Get help from others outside of school, like a family therapist or a police officer
Look for community resources that can deal with and stop bullying.
If school’s anti-bullying policy is lacking information, there are plenty of useful websites that can help you, such as
External resources
Alex Panton Foundation cannot guarantee the content of external links
Cayman Kids Helpline provides a safe space, and general guidance - this is not a substitute for clinical advice or treatment.
The Kids Helpline is proudly brought to you by the Alex Panton Foundation