Physical signs to look out for if your child is being bullied :

• Unexplained injuries, torn or damaged clothing. These may be innocent but if you feel uneasy about how a particular injury happened, follow your instincts and try to get you child to talk about it.
• Regular complaints of feeling unwell. You may suspect your child is trying to get out of going to school but he/she may have a very good reason for not wanting to go.

Emotional and behavioural signs to look out for if your child is being bullied :

• Mood swings, personality changes. Young people who are bullied can react by becoming withdrawn or becoming aggressive themselves.
• Depression.
• Constant anxiety/nervouness/unhappiness.
• Lack of confidence and negative self image. Young people who are bullied often put themselves down and don't value their abilities. A lot of bullying is to do with personal appearance and can lead to eating disorders and self harming.
• Withdrawal or exclusion from group activities

If your child is being bullied :

• Calmly talk with your child about their experiences
• Make a note of what your child says especially who was involved, how often it has been happening, where it is happening and what is happening
• Reassure you child that they have done the right thing by telling you
• Explain to your child that should anything else occur they are to go to a teacher and tell them
• Make an appointment to see their teacher or form tutor
• Explain to the teacher the problems that your child is experiencing

When talking to teachers about bullying :

• Try to stay calm
• Be as specific as possible
• Make a note of what actions the school intends to take
• Ask and find out if there is anything that you can do to help your child at school
• Stay in touch with the school ; let them know if things improve or if your child is still having problems.

If your child is bullying other children :

Children sometimes bully others because :

• They don't know it's wrong
• They are copying older brothers or sisters
• They haven't learnt better ways of mixing with friends
• Their friends encourage them to bully
• They may be going through a difficult time and are acting out aggressive feelings

If your child is bullying other children then try sitting them down and see if they know what they are doing is wrong. Try and explain to them that people can help them and see why they are doing it !!!