Communicate! / Candis Forum / Has your child been bullied? / How can you tell as a parent... / Latest Posts

RE: How can you tell as a parent...

Mrs B — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:38:21 GMT

I actually found out my daughter was being bullied when a teacher brought her out to me after school and told me a boy had punched her in the face, an attack which he actually witnessed. It turned out that the boy had been picking on her for some time and he had even pushed her down some stairs (luckily for her she landed on her feet) on a previous occasion.

Before that I had no idea that she was being bullied. Her behaviour at home had been no different as far as I can recall. The only clue I had (it's always easier to see with hindsight) was that she was reluctant to get up for school and I had to coax her to get dressed and ready most mornings (which in itself is pretty normal for a teenager anyway).

She also began wearing make up, including thick black eyeliner, which she took ages to apply each morning (a delaying tactic?). I did think she may have been trying to hide herself away. Although I did notice she was no longer using thick eyeliner, it is just this second that I have realised that since she left school she doesn't feel the need to hide behind her makeup any more.

Teenagers are full of secrets and hiding something like bullying from a parent is probably quite easy for them if they don't want their parents to know.

RE: How can you tell as a parent...

candis — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 11:05:29 GMT

It's very troubling to feel your child is being bullied and to be unable to recognise the first signs in their behaviour as all children will react differently. Kidscape, the first charity set up to prevent bullying after 21 years of research and innovation, offers support and information for parents and children. Kidscape can be contacted either by logging onto their website, www.kidscape.org.uk or by phoning the Kidscape helpline 08451 205204.

RE: How can you tell as a parent...

janney02 — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:28:01 GMT

hi sharon

i have 4 children and all have been bulled in on way and anuther thay have all disabilltys and its hard to tell when there been bulled as the 4 of mine all acted in diffrent ways my youngest just refussed to go to school my little girl made here self sick my second oldest scrubbled al over her hand and arm and then my oldest just screams and kicks off at home so its not easy to no the sings it worries me sick becuse you never no what the day is going to fetch

How can you tell as a parent...

Sharon — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 13:04:01 GMT

I worry about bullying and have asked my child several times is she/he being bullied when they have been withdrawn or behaving differently.

Apart from physical signs how can you really identify phycological forms such as text bullying. Have you got any suggestions or experiences?