What to Do if Your Child is Being Bullied at School | Co-Regulation Parenting | E229

What to do if your child is being bullied is a question no parent wants to ask, yet many families face this painful reality. In this episode, I explain what to do if your child is being bullied, why many children never tell an adult, and how parents can support emotional well-being while taking effective action.

Bullying can affect confidence, emotional regulation, academic performance, and mental health. Understanding what to do if your child is being bullied helps parents respond with calm, advocacy, and support rather than panic or helplessness.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What to do if your child is being bullied at school or online

• Why many children keep bullying a secret

• The different types of bullying and how they affect children

• Practical ways parents can support emotional recovery and resilience

Why don't children tell adults about bullying?

Many children stay silent because they:

• Feel embarrassed or ashamed

• Fear making the situation worse

• Worry they won't be believed

• Don't want to appear different from their peers

This is why creating open communication at home is so important.

Behavior is communication.

It's not bad behavior—it's a child struggling with stress, fear, or emotional pain.

Children who are being bullied may show changes in behavior before they talk about what is happening.

What are signs a child may be experiencing bullying?

Parents may notice:

• Increased anxiety or school refusal

• Emotional outbursts or withdrawal

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Lower confidence and self-esteem

• Avoidance of certain activities or peers

These signs deserve attention and support.

What should parents do?

Helpful steps include:

• Listening without judgment

• Validating your child's experience

• Documenting concerns when appropriate

• Communicating with school personnel

• Building emotional regulation and coping skills

The goal is helping children feel safe, supported, and empowered.

How can parents help children recover?

Children benefit from:

• Strong emotional support

• Safe opportunities to talk about feelings

• Positive peer connections

• Confidence-building experiences

• Nervous system regulation and resilience-building

When children feel supported, they are better able to recover from difficult experiences and rebuild confidence.

Need personalized next steps?

Use the FREE Solution Matcher: https://drroseann.com/help/

Discover science-backed mental health resources and nervous system support strategies at:

www.drroseann.com

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge helps parents understand emotional dysregulation in children and teaches practical nervous system regulation and co-regulation strategies through her Regulation First Parenting™ approach.