Parents Don’t Know How to Take on Bullying

There is a significant confidence gap among parents around bullying, with only 22% feeling very prepared to support their child through bullying, despite one in four Australian school-aged children experiencing it.

Schools, families and communities all have a role to play in creating cultures of kindness, respect and belonging. When parents and carers are given the confidence and support to help their children navigate life’s challenges, individual wellbeing is enhanced and safer and more inclusive environments for all children are created.

Recent, highly publicised bullying incidents have reinforced how important it is for families to help children feel safe, connected and supported to seek help.

Parents can sometimes feel like they need to have all the answers when bullying arises, but it's often the small things that make the biggest difference.

"That can start with simply noticing when something has changed in a child’s behaviour, mood or routines – something parents and carers are often the first to see,” Carol Markie-Dadds, Triple P International, which delivers an anti bullying program, Country Director, said.

“Listening without judgement, checking in regularly and helping a child feel understood can go a long way, while also teaching important skills such as kindness, inclusion and speaking up when something isn't right.”

Headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, Triple P International (TPI) is a social enterprise that disseminates the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program®, putting evidence-based parenting in the hands of every parent.    

Triple P is ranked by the United Nations as the world’s most extensively researched parenting program and is backed by four decades of ongoing research and has helped millions of children and their families and has been translated into 23 languages other than English.

Worldwide, more than 114,580 practitioners from over 80 countries have participated in Triple P training.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program was created by Professor Matt Sanders and colleagues from The University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family Support Centre.

Triple P's five small ways parents can have a big impact against bullying
•    Create a judgment-free zone for honest and open conversation so children feel validated and safe sharing what's happening. For example: "That sounds really tough, I’m glad you told me about it."
•    Explore challenges together rather than rushing to solve the problem by asking open-ended questions like: "What do you think might help?"
•    Encourage empathy, kindness and inclusion by talking about feelings, relationships and respectful behaviour. This could sound like: "How do you think they might have felt?" or "What could we do to help someone feel included?"
•    Stay engaged in your child's world, including their friendships, school experiences and online activities. For example, try asking: "What's been the best part of your day?" or "How are things going with your friends?"
•    Make time for regular connection through everyday moments such as car trips, walks or shared meals. When children feel connected, conversations often happen more naturally.