Bully-Proof Your Child

Prevent your child from being bullied with these smart strategies.

- Dr Nicola Davies

 

No parent wants their child to live in fear. We spend our days constantly walking the tightrope between making sure they know how to stay safe and at the same time attempting to instil courage to help them face the world. Yet bullying is an ever-present threat to our children’s happiness. Fortunately, there are some strategies you can take to bully-proof your child.

Preparation is Key

Even if you think that your child is immune from bullying, it is better to prepare them. Over the course of their young lives, most children will experience bullying of some sort. Indeed, The Children’s Society of Singapore has released a study of 786 primary school students, which found that one in five reported having been bullied. Many students who are not bullied themselves are either the bully or are watching others being bullied. Of the students, over half reported verbal bullying and 38 per cent physical bullying. While girls are more likely to suffer in silence, bullying often incite boys to fight, which creates even more problems at school. While this is concerning, what raises the red flag even more is that 35 per cent didn’t tell anyone, making it all the more important for parents to be watchful.

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