Parents and teachers must pay attention to the signs that victims of bullying are sending out.

Has your son or daughter started displaying some unusual behavior lately? Have they become more isolated and reserved? Are they pretending to be sick so that they don’t have to go to school? Are they coming home with torn clothing or with fewer possessions than they went to school with? These are all potential signs that your son or daughter is being bullied at school.
As a parent, it is extremely important to pay attention to these warning signs. Many children who are being bullied will not tell their parents about the problem. They may feel embarrassed or may have even been threatened by the bully to not say anything. In addition, they may think that the problem will get worse if they tell someone.
If you are aware of these signs and refuse to confront the problem, you are potentially setting up your child for a lifetime of victimization. Many children who are bullied in school continue to be bullied when they are adults. Having become so insecure about themselves, they have a difficult time “breaking the habit” of being a victim.
Ignoring the signs could lead to much more severe problems than just a lack of self-confidence. Children who are bullied over a long period of time may start to have feelings of helplessness. If adults do not intervene in these situations, the child may turn to drastic measures such as violent retaliation or attempted suicide.
What to do about the problem
Spending time with your children and communicating with them is the first step towards recovery. Remember that your child may be unwilling to talk to you about this problem. However, if the signs are there, you must speak with your child about bullying at their school. Make sure your child knows that they are not to blame for the bullying episodes.
Another step that parents can take in helping their child resolve this problem is to communicate with the school. There is a very good chance that your child’s teacher is not even aware of the problem. Because most bullying takes place away from adults, many teachers and administrators do not even know that they have a bullying problem at their campus.
Finally, encourage your child to become involved in activities outside of school. Focus on a talent your child has, and encourage them to pursue this activity. Being involved in something that they enjoy and are good at will help to improve their self-esteem. Also, these activities will give them an opportunity to meet and spend time with other children who have similar interests.
Being a victim of bullying can be a terrifying and lonely experience. No child should ever be physically or emotionally abused. If you notice changes in your child that may indicate that they are being bullied at school, it is your responsibility as a parent to take immediate action so that you can help your child put a stop to the abuse now.