A Bullied Child

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 04-Jun-2008 edition

A Bullied Child
By Dr Bill Maier

Would you know if your child was being bullied in school?

Most of us think we know our kids pretty well, but they don’t always give clear clues about what’s going on in their world.

When kids are bullied it’s embarrassing for them and they may not want their parents to know about it, even though they need someone to confide in.

There are some signs we can watch out for. Some kids may develop irrational fears that they didn’t have before.

When it comes time for school, they may complain of vague physical ailments, such as headaches or stomach pain.

Other kids may develop nightmares, or have trouble sleeping.

Any behaviour that seems out of the ordinary may mean your child is struggling with a bully at school.

Of course, it could also signal a more serious problem. Observant parents are quick to notice these changes and even quicker to step in and help.

Kids who are most reluctant to talk about their problems are usually the ones who need to talk about it most.