Stand up to the bullies

Give your child the language to deal with their aggressors, says Helen O’Callaghan.

THE idea that your child might be bullied strikes fear into any parent’s heart. The biggest thing you can do is to give them the strength and skills to deal with it, says Imelda Graham, training coordinator with Barnardos’ training and resource service.

Communicate openly with your child. Make them aware that bullying happens. Help them be aware of right and wrong, that it’s not OK for someone to be very rude to them or to be abusive, and to know what this looks like. Give them the language to be able to talk about it.