Many parents worry that their children may become targets of bullies or are already suffering as a victim of one or more mean kids. Kids often don’t tell their parents about being bullied out of embarrassment or fear that telling will make it worse.If any of the following are happening with your children, be concerned that they may be getting bullied:
Drs. Berdahl and Johnson are authors of the new book, Warning Signs: How to Protect Your Kids from Becoming Victims or Perpetrators of Violence and Aggression
available now at bookstores and online. Find parenting resources, and more about WARNING SIGNS and their previous award-winning book, 7 Skills for Parenting Success at http://www.warningsignsforparents.com.
- Increased moodiness, secretiveness, or withdrawal.
- Increased agitation or emotional outbursts.
- Increased worrying or anxiety.
- Becoming agitated or afraid when seeing classmates in public settings.
- Bullying their siblings or other kids.
- Avoidance of going to school or school activities (frequently sick or truant).
- Vague physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches.
- Avoidance of less structured school settings (recess, lunch room, school bus, after-school organizations, or sports).
- Sudden changes in friendships or exclusion by current friends.
- Unexplained decline in grades.
- Sleep difficulties.
- Noticeable changes in mood after talking on the phone or looking at media devices.
- Loss of money or possessions, or possessions get broken or destroyed.
- Bruises, or soiled or torn clothing.
- Reluctance to show arms or legs to you (such as covering arms with long sleeves when it’s warm outside) or unexplained scratches or cuts on skin.
- Making negative statements about themselves or their schools, friends, lives, or futures.
by Laurie Berdahl, MD & Brian D. Johnson, PhD
