A good report card is not the only concern for parents of school-aged children. Today, news headlines with heartbreaking reports of adolescent suicides are on the rise. Many children who commit the act are the victims of bullying.
Parents do their best to prevent their children from becoming a target for the bully sitting next to them on the school bus or in the classroom. However, parents rarely consider the possibility of their child being the bully.
Knowing these 5 signs will help reveal if your child may be another child’s nightmare.
1. Aggressive Behavior
If your child demonstrates verbal or physical aggression towards you or his or her siblings, it’s likely that they do the same with their teachers and peers. Children who are disciplined by their parents in a harsh or borderline abusive manner are more likely to become bullies who punish their victims in the same way.
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Defiance of rules and authority is another expression of aggressive behavior that is often seen in bullies.
If your child witnesses abuse at home, they are more likely to become a bully. Exposure to violence in video games, movies or social media may be contributing factors as well.
RELATED: Bullying Affects Everyone: What You Need To Know To Prevent & Stop Bullying
2. Blames Others For Bad Behavior
“If she wasn’t so ugly, I wouldn’t have to punch her,” is something a bully might say in defense of themselves. Bullies often don’t hold themselves accountable for their poor behavior. It’s always someone else’s fault for why they react the way that they do. Holding your child accountable for their behaviors at home can help prevent this from happening.
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3. Low Self-esteem
Underneath it all, bullies usually don’t like themselves. They often have a negative attitude towards their life and the people in it. Academically, bullies tend to struggle so they resort to being disruptive in class. Boys who bully may use their physical strength to intimidate others to cover their sense of inferiority in the classroom. Girls who bully are usually popular and will shame other girls to feel better about themselves.
Take action to ensure that your child has the resources they need to be successful academically and emotionally. Engage your child in
