Signs your child is being bullied by Dr. Michele Borba:
What are some signs your child is being bullied according to Dr. Borba?
- Unexplained and reoccurring physical marks, cuts, bruises and scrapes
- Unexplained loss or damage of toys, school supplies, electronic items, clothing, lunches, or money
- Doesn’t want to go to school or other activities with peers
- Fears riding the school bus
- Afraid to be left alone: wants you there at dismissal, suddenly clingy
- Suddenly sullen, withdrawn, evasive; remarks about feeling lonely
- Marked changed in typical behavior or personality
- Appears sad, moody, angry, anxious or depressed and that mood lasts with no known cause
- Physical complaints; headaches, stomachaches, frequent visits the school nurse’s office
- Change in eating or sleeping; nightmares, cries self to sleep, bed wetting
- Begins bullying siblings or younger kids. Bullied children can sometimes flip their role and become the bully
- Waits to get home to use the bathroom. School and park bathrooms-because they are often not adult supervised-can be hot spots for bullying.
- Suddenly there are fewer friends or doesn’t want to be with the “regular group”
- Ravenous when he comes home. (Bullies can use extortion to steal a victim’s lunch money or lunch)
- Sudden drop in grades. Bullying can cause a child to have difficulty focusing and concentrating
- Blames self for problems; noticeable decline in self-esteem; feels “not good enough”
- Talks about feeling helpless or about suicide; runs away
