Child undergoing bullying? Attend to their emotional scars prior to intervention
Parents play a crucial role in helping their children heal emotionally from the trauma of bullying. This healing process involves patience, empathy, and active involvement from parents.
First and foremost, it's important to prioritize emotional validation. Elena Gaga, a Dubai-based psychologist, suggests that parents should validate the child's emotions before diving into problem-solving. This means acknowledging the child's feelings as real and painful, rather than minimizing the bullying experience.
Using careful, empathetic language is also key. Avoid blaming or questioning the child in a way that can intensify feelings of hurt, such as "Why didn’t you…". Instead, show understanding and support.
Empowering the child is another essential aspect of the healing process. Parents can encourage their child to come up with their own ideas for handling the situation. This not only helps the child regain a sense of control but also boosts their confidence.
Confidence-building activities can also be beneficial. Encourage the child to engage in hobbies or social groups that restore a sense of competence and pride undermined by bullying. Activities that help children rebuild self-esteem and reconnect with things that make them feel proud or competent can aid in the healing process.
Fostering gratitude and a positive outlook is another strategy. Starting small practices of gratitude can help the child break free from the cycle of negativity caused by bullying and rebuild hope and relationships.
Maintaining patience is crucial. Understand that healing from bullying is a long-term process, not a quick fix. Rushing the child or pushing too hard to confront the bully before emotional readiness may be harmful.
Regular check-ins can help normalize discussions about difficult topics and make it easier for children to talk. It's also important to make sure children know that both parents are on the same team.
When a child confides in their parents about bullying, it's natural for parents to feel a mix of emotions, but it's vital that they contain these emotions to avoid overwhelming the child.
In some cases, the bullying may go unnoticed for months, as was the case with Madhushree Bhattacharya's son. After months of therapy, she realized her son was being severely bullied at school. The bullying destroyed the son's confidence and took over two years to rebuild his self-esteem.
For some children, confiding in their parents about bullying can be a daunting task. Kaira Mohit, a 17-year-old from Dubai, felt nervous and anxious about confiding in her parents about her bullying experience. The author regrets not confiding in their mother about the bullying at school due to fear of ostracization.
By addressing the child's emotional needs first in a compassionate and patient way, parents lay the foundation for effective interventions and help their child regain confidence and resilience. This approach also respects the child’s psychological well-being, reducing trauma and empowering recovery.
When addressing mental health issues such as trauma from bullying, it's crucial for parents to be aware of health-and-wellness practices that involve empathy, understanding, and support. In the healing process, it's essential for parents to engage in news and lifestyle discussions about mental health, and adopt strategies such as validating the child's feelings, avoiding blame, encouraging self-empowerment, and fostering gratitude. The environment at home and the response from parents can significantly impact the child's mental health and ability to recover from bullying. Moreover, prioritizing conversations about mental health in a positive manner can improve the child's overall well-being, and contribute to their environment, health, and lifestyle.
