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Hamden. “Play therapy can give
older children and adolescents the
freedom to express themselves in a
way other than talking.”
Signs Your Child is Being
Bullied
• May experience low self-esteem
and depression.
• May cringe at the thought of
going to school.
• Makes up illnesses to avoid
situations where the bully will
be present.
• Frequently loses money at
school-this is common and can
become routine for the bully.
• Comes home with torn clothes
more often than you think is
‘normal’.
• Scratches/bruises that is
inexplicable by the child.
Steps To Take If You Are
Being Bullied
• Talk to someone you trust; a
teacher or parent.
• Be persistent-don’t give up.
• If you can, write down everything
that has been said or done to
hurt you. When you have found
someone you can trust, discuss
what you have written with
that person. Be careful only to
write things that have really
happened.
• Ask the person you talk to not
to do anything without telling
you about it first.
• Most importantly, do
something. Sometimes bullying
stops quickly, but doing nothing
means it may continue-if their
behavior is not challenged they
are unlikely to stop.
• If you find it difficult to talk to
an adult, ask one of your friends
to come with you.
What a Parent Can Do
• Get to know your child’s friends.
You may be able to identify
ones that are bullying and
communicate your views on
bullying to them.
• Show your child appropriate
ways to defend themselves.
• Tell your child to ignore
verbal bullying tactics initially.
Sometimes when bullies don’t
get a response, they get bored
and move on.
• Sometimes bullies stop if
confronted; encourage your
child to do so only if it is verbal
bullying.
• Look at your own child’s
behavior and style of
interacting.
• Discuss prevention techniques
such as staying in groups.
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