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Bullying is a tough topic to navigate for new and experienced parents. Unfortunately, bullying is a common problem among children worldwide. Children are just learning about themselves and interacting with kids who are different from them can be confusing. Some kids lash out, mirroring behavior they see in adults. Therefore, it can be difficult for even the most astute adults to notice that their child is being bullied. However, there are some telltale signs to look out for.
Social media star Dark Joseph Ravine is committed to his anti-bullying campaign, which aims to end childhood bullying forever. His debut novel, Watch Out! It’s Nolan, follows the story of a young boy who ultimately finds his true self after experiencing the brutal ups and downs of childhood bullying. This story only scratches the surface, as Ravine has explored some of the signals that parents should be watching for in their child if they believe they may be getting bullied at school. His list includes, but is not limited to:
- Aggression – Your normally mild-mannered child may come home from school behaving more aggressively than in the past. This is their way of projecting the behaviors their peers are exhibiting towards them. They are hurt, emotional, and may lash out. Don’t take this personally. They need your support now more than ever.
- Depression – This may seem obvious, but depression is often directly correlated to at-school bullying. Ravine says an uptick in childhood bullying has subsequently caused an uptick in childhood depression. Signs of depression include detachment from interests and hobbies, less-frequent communication with loved ones, and isolation.
- Performance – Similarly, your child’s grades may plummet if they are being bullied–look for patterns! Their grades may not reflect “laziness,” despite popular belief. Instead, they may be a reflection of what they’re going through at school. If they’re being bullied by peers, it will be increasingly more difficult to focus during class, which will ultimately show in their gradebook.
- Friends – Their friend group may completely shift if they are being bullied, whether the bully is in the friend group or not. Kids’ reputations are volatile, and bullying can make all the difference for your child’s social life. Other kids may not want to associate with a child who is getting bullied, for fear of becoming the next target.
- Truancy – If your child has been avoiding school like it’s the plague, they may be getting bullied and are not simply “being lazy.” They may seriously be afraid of going back to an environment where they know they will be hurt. Talk to school faculty and come to a compromise instead of assuming the worst.
If your child fits into any of these categories, don’t panic. Instead, be sure to create a positive, uplifting, and supportive home base. Starting from within can prevent future problems while simultaneously stopping current ones. When your child confesses the problem at hand, work together with the staff at school. Odds are, this is not the first, nor the last time they will have seen a similar situation. The right school will work with you to improve your child’s school life.
Ravine frequently discusses ending childhood bullying forever. His debut children’s book, Watch Out! It’s Nolan combats school bullying through Nolan’s relatable story. If your child loves stories like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, they’d love Watch Out! It’s Nolan, too!
