Back to school – what you can do about bullying

The start of the school year after the summer holidays – often a complicated and challenging time for pupils and parents. You have to get used to many new things: a new timetable, new school supplies, new school clothes, new friends, teachers and lessons.

One of those lessons can also be how to deal with bullying at school. As a parent I can understand how difficult it can be when your own child is being bullied at school.

Despite all the worry, dealing with unpleasant things – including teasing and bullying – is part of growing up. Be confident that your child will learn to grow from these challenges.

Dealing constructively with difficult situations

We are all human and need a certain amount of external pressure to develop our adaptability and to form relationships. It's a bit like exercise. As soon as you increase the load, it hurts at first, but in the long run muscles and bones become stronger.

As mothers, we find it especially hard to watch our children being sad and hurt, but they too need a certain amount of pressure in order to develop and grow. A successful transition from childhood to adulthood depends on much more than academic education and intellectual activity.

Take physical development as an example: to be physically fit, our children must get ill from time to time – with colds, flu-like infections, chickenpox, etc. And yes, dealing with bullying can also positively influence emotional maturity.

Independent learning for life

Intimidating experiences from bullying can help your child to change their own behaviour. Furthermore they will learn that life is not only sunshine.

It may not sound like common sense, but we parents should not protect our children from real life.

I have no doubt that our boys can only grow into well-grounded men if they are exposed to all facets of masculinity as early as possible. The same applies to our girls.

Sometimes it's important to force children to make their own decisions. It will help them develop assertiveness and strength of character in their formative years. Only in this way will they learn to stand firm or to critically question their own behaviour when necessary.

The more often your child has to assert themselves in life, the sooner and more deeply they will mature.

I myself have accompanied three boys into adulthood and suffered with them when they were doing badly. That is what motherhood is about, sharing the suffering of your own children. But if I may offer you one insight from my experience: everything is within the normal range.

Ignatia for sorrow

You are doing wonderful things; please do not blame yourself for not being able to do more. If you feel overwhelmed by sorrow and worry about the situation your child is in, I can recommend Ignatia. Ignatia 200, taken twice daily, until you feel emotionally strengthened and stable again. In most cases this is already the case after a few days. (Information on dosage and potency can be found here: D or C potency: that is the question here).

Your own measured response will also influence your child's behaviour and strengthen their emotional maturity.

As unfriendly as the outside world may sometimes be – it exists for a very definite reason.

Your role is that of the good, steadfast mother. You are the rock in the surf. You stand in the background and are ready to tend your child's wounds and then send them back out into the world. Prepare yourself emotionally for the possibility that you may have to step in more than once, that the whole thing may repeat itself.

Everything will be fine. Over time your child will develop strength of character and learn how to deal with these situations constructively. And isn't that exactly what you wish for your child?

Warmly,

Yours

Source: https://joettecalabrese.com/blog/back-to-school-the-answer-to-bullying/