Is Your Child Being Bullied?
Schools are starting back and our children and grandchildren are starting a new school year. How exciting!! Or is it?
Is your child being bullied?
According to Siri, bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate or aggressively dominate others. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception, by the bully or by others, of an imbalance of social or physical power, which distinguishes bullying from conflict. Behavior used to assert such domination can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion, and such acts may be directed repeatedly towards particular targets.
I recently learned some horrifying statistics. Did you know that Suicide is the #2 cause of death in school age children? And did you know that Being Bullied and the depression that goes with the territory is the #1 cause of suicide? We are talking about young elementary school age children here. This disturbs me terribly.
Today, I am writing to warn parents and grandparents to be on guard for your children's sake. Talk to them. Statistically less than half of bullied children will ask for help. Talk to them and be on the lookout for any symptoms of bullying. Protect your children!!
I'm no expert on this, but I have researched this topic. I want to share what I have found. Most children are afraid to even talk about it if they are being bullied. So, you can't just ask how their day was and expect that they will just open right up about any problems in this area. If you have serious suspicions, you need to help your child learn to talk to you about this. They need to feel safe. Also, keep in mind that not all bullying in schools is done by other children. Sometimes it can be someone in authority. For example, teachers, coaches, or other adults.
A bullied child sometimes shows no symptoms, but sometimes they do. Therefore, we need to do the best we can to be watchful.
Here are some symptoms and signs:
- Reluctance to go to school
- Crying spells or extreme emotional reactions that are out of character
- Injuries that are unexplained
- Missing or torn clothing or damaged property that has no explanation
- Frequent headaches or tummy aches
- Sleeping too much or too little. Frequent nightmares
- A sudden change in eating habits - weight gain or loss
- Verbalizes feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
- Talks about suicide
- Afraid or dislike of playing outside without an adult present
- Take special notice if your child is just starting a new school
- Notice if your child takes the victim stance. Walking with his head down and shoulders slumped or sitting in the 'hiding' position
Children are near and dear to my heart. I love them. I feel I was born to be a Bammie. This blog may seem strange to some of you, but if it helps just 1 child to be helped, then it is well worth any ridicule that I may have to endure.
Bullying is real and it is on the rise just as childhood suicide is real and on the rise. Please, God, help us to protect the children. We are their First Responders!!
Recent Comments
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A very informative, and great post, Wenda, it is indeed so sad to hear the true reality of the statistic, it is horrible! that some children are so desperate and commit suicide.
There is a big need to protect the children, starting from home, giving enough love, protection, to build the confidence to be strong enough to the hard world.
Jacqueline
So true. Then, in reality, statistics show that a lot of children have no support system at home. So sad.
Wendi
I am so glad my boys do not deal with this. they are the ones who stand up for those who are bullied - they were bullied in my home by my stepson (he physically hurt, threatened, verbally abused and attempted to molest my boys who are the same age he is, talk about creepy and scary) I found out and he is not allowed here anymore - no second chances there.....
bullying is so not ok....
good post and it is not strange at all - I know children and adults who bully others and if I did not know the Lord I would have been destroyed by some attempts by another to ruin me.... it can happen to anyone at any age and in many different ways. we need to teach our children by our words and actions by not allowing bullying in our space and to speak out rather than internalize it. My kids go to a great school where there really is not a lot of bullying and my son, bless his sweet heart, gets his friends involved in including others into their play time so nobody gets left out and he is not afraid to stick up for anyone who is not being treated well..... wish every school had more kids like him
Sounds like a great little man. I really appreciate you sharing that with me today. I, too, wish there were more like him in every school.
Wendi
Great post Wendi and if I may add something also bulling can also come from teachers so be aware.
I agree... I lost a son to suicide, thankfully it was not due to bullying! sounds weird to say thankfully at all , in a conversation like this... but how a tormented child can feel whether younger or older can be a very lonely place . And for those who have lost children to suicide , unfortunately belong to a club that shouldn’t exsist.
no parent should out live a child. my heart breaks for all parents I know, or don't who live through this. so sorry :(
Thank you very much, to your wonderful commitment to your children, much success to you!
Regards,
Ron!
I am so very sorry for your loss.
It is my hope that this post can help even one child find peace.
Wendi
Bulling can be a great thing, Infact standing up to my bullies gave me self confidence and made me fearless. It also taught me to stand up for others who are less able and not be torrent of bullies. Certain types are natural, normal and necessary.
I agree totally. But, anytime a child is bullied to the point of depression or suicidal thoughts is never ever natural or a good thing.
Wendi
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Such a hard topic to write about but it is an absolute necessity for parents. Thank you.
Yes, it is a hard topic. But, we desperately need to face it.
All the best,
Wendi