As McAuley Catholic College prepares for our 'Bullying - No Way' week, and following recent staff discussions about our school's involvement in the fantastic 'Resilience Project', Robyn and I reflected on how we, as parents, have responded over the years when our children shared their struggles with unhappiness at school. As parents, few things are more heartbreaking than watching your child struggle with social exclusion, the challenge of finding their place, or experiencing bullying. While physical bullying and name-calling are relatively straightforward to identify, indirect or relational bullying can be much more difficult to detect—yet equally damaging to a child's wellbeing.

The following excerpt from a Do It For Dolly article provides valuable guidance for parents on how to respond effectively and supportively when their child faces these challenges.

How to help your child cope

If you think your child might be experiencing indirect bullying, here are some ways to support them.

Create a safe space to talk - Let your child know you’re there for them, without judgement. Use open-ended questions like: “How have things been going with your friends lately?” “Is anything or anyone making you feel uncomfortable at school?”

Why it works: Feeling heard and supported helps your child feel less alone. It also builds trust, making it easier for them to open up in future. 

Validate their feelings - It’s important not to downplay what they’re going through. Avoid saying things like “Just ignore it” or “It’s just drama.” Try saying: “That sounds really hard.” “You don’t deserve to be treated that way.” 

Why it works: Validation reassures your child that their feelings are real and that you take them seriously.

To read the article in full or for more great tips, head to https://www.dollysdream.org.au/ or if you or someone you know needs support, contact Dolly’s Dream Support Line on 0488 881 033 to speak with a qualified counsellor.

Ms Kirsty Roche & Mrs Robyn Ryan
Pastoral Care Coordinators 

Year 12 with their 'Bullying - No Way' sign ready for next week