When your child is being bullied, it’s one of the toughest things to face as a parent. You want to swoop in, fix it, make it all better—but often, it’s not that simple.
It can be hard to know what to say, who to speak to, or how to help your child feel safe again. This guide is here to offer calm, practical advice and support. We’ll walk through what to look out for, how to talk to your child, and the tools that can help them build emotional resilience along the way.
Talk Time: The Power of Simply Showing Up
Encouraging an open and communicative relationship with your child is the most important thing you can do. Children need to know that they have a safe space to share their worries, no matter how big or small.
Try to create regular, distraction-free moments to check in—maybe it’s during the school run, over a bedtime hot chocolate, or doing something fun together like a jigsaw or colouring. These low-pressure moments often help children to open up more naturally.
And remember: your own openness helps too. Talk about your day, your ups and downs, and your feelings. You’re showing them that emotions are OK to talk about.
Spotting the Silent Signals
Not all children will come out and say, “I’m being bullied.” Shame, confusion or fear can keep them quiet. That’s why it’s important to stay tuned in to the warning signs:
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Unexplained injuries
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Avoidance of school or social situations
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Changes in appetite or sleep
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Lost possessions
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A dip in mood or confidence
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s worth digging deeper.
You’re Not Alone: Getting the School Involved
All schools in the UK are required to have anti-bullying policies in place. If your child is being bullied, reach out to their teacher or head teacher with as much detail as you can.
You are your child’s advocate. Don’t be afraid to follow up, ask for clarity, and ensure they’re taking the situation seriously. Keep a written record of conversations—it can help build a clearer picture if the issue persists.
Keep Your Cool (Even When It’s Really, Really Hard)
It’s gut-wrenching to hear your child is being hurt. But if we react with panic or anger, it can sometimes make our kids feel like they’ve caused us pain—or worse, they’ll shut down and stop sharing.
Creating a calm and safe space shows them they can trust you with the hard stuff. Let them talk, cry, express. Let them feel without fixing straight away.
Why Emotions Matter (and How Leo Can Help)
Children who can recognise, name, and express their emotions are better equipped to cope with challenges like bullying. That’s why we created ‘My Emotions with Leo’, a PSHE-focused learning world in our educational app that helps children develop emotional literacy in a safe, playful way.
When children play Leo’s fun and mindful games, they step into a digital learning environment designed to teach them how to:
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Identify emotions like sadness, anger, and anxiety
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Understand where these feelings come from
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Express how they feel in healthy ways
By building this emotional toolkit early on, children are more resilient, more empathetic, and more likely to reach out when they need help. It's one small (digital) step for Leo, one big leap for children's mental health.
What Else Can You Do? Practical Tips for Home
Here are a few practical ways to empower your child:
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Practice assertiveness: Role play saying “Stop, I don’t like that” in a calm, confident tone.
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Buddy up: Bullies often target children when they’re alone. Where possible nurture friendships and group play.
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Journal the journey: Suggest your child keep a diary of incidents and feelings. This can help you both process what’s happening and give you clear information to share with the school.
When Extra Support Is Needed
If your child is struggling with anxiety, low mood or trauma related to bullying, it’s absolutely okay to seek help. Your GP can refer you to children’s mental health professionals or local support services. Sometimes, just knowing that there’s a team around them can make a child feel less alone.
Remember: You’re Doing a Great Job
No one hands us a manual for parenting through bullying. You’re navigating it the best way you can—and your presence, love, and willingness to listen already make a world of difference.
If you’re looking for gentle, empowering tools to help your child grow their emotional awareness, Leo is ready to explore with them. Tap into the ‘My Emotions with Leo’ world on the EDURINO educational app, and give your child a calm, safe space to learn how to feel, name, and navigate their emotions.
Brigid is a primary school teacher with over a decade of experience teaching in state and independent schools in the UK and Middle East, with specialism in Early Years Education and working with neurodiverse learners.
