Is Homeschooling A Radical Option for Bullied Children?

 

When bullying gets in the way of your child’s education, is homeschooling the best option or an over exaggeration?


Defined as the hostile, distressing behavior that happens repeatedly, bullying can happen at any given place and time. “Parents tell themselves, “My kid would never do something cruel!” but almost all kids are sometimes mean or make bad choices,” said clinical psychologist Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D. One of the most common areas where bullying occurs is at schools or educational sites; it is in these places where there is a constant power struggle between the younger and senior years. Currently, schools are more active in lessening or eliminating the act of bullying within the campus or even outside the vicinity.

Source:  dethrives.com

 

Classifications of Bullying

“Bullying is more than name-calling on the playground; it is a form of verbal, physical, and emotional abuse that can lead to the development of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety as well as behavioral disorders”, according to  Kristen Fuller, M.D. Bullying falls under four classifications: verbal, physical, relational, and digital (cyberbullying). Sadly, all of these bullying scenarios can happen inside school grounds. How does one differ from the other?

  1. Verbal – involves threatening, unwarranted and disrespectful comments about one’s attributes, name-calling
  2. Physical – involves aggressiveness and intimidation which can be in forms of blocking, pushing, hitting, inappropriate touching, tripping, and kicking
  3. Relational –the deliberate exclusion of someone from any socialization like parties and sports
  4. Digital – also known as cyberbullying, this involves a more digital space like social media, text, and email wherein the bully will harangue the target by spreading hurtful words and lies

 

Effects On Children

Bullied kids can experience numerous adverse reactions, which directly affect their psychological, physical, mental, and social status. They are more likely to struggle with:

  • Anxiety and depression with heightened feelings of loneliness
  • Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
  • Indifference to other people
  • Lack of interest in activities that they used to enjoy
  • Health problems
  • Academic deterioration evidenced by low standardized test results
  • Poor extracurricular participation
  • Skips or misses school; fakes illness

Some of these issues can linger on into their adult stage and may severely affect their work performance and self-esteem.

 

Homeschooling For Bullied Children

When bullying goes out of hand, parents resort to different tactics on how to resolve or stop the detrimental deed, and one of which is considering changing the learning environment by leaving the traditional school environment and choosing homeschool.

So, to answer the question, “Is homeschooling a radical option?” No, it is not. Homeschooling is not a radical choice most especially if children have suffered so much from bullying that they have traumatic episodes that hinder their ability to cope and learn.For some parents, homeschooling can be a melodramatic approach, but for those who are concerned about the safety and welfare of their children, homeschooling is the perfect solution.

Homeschooling can be a reasonable fix for bullying, though it may not be something that parents might consider especially for those who have day jobs. Aside from taking your children away from a worrisome environment, by choosing to homeschool your kids, you are also:

  • Discovering your children’s interests while giving ample time for them develop newfound self-confidence
  • Teaching your children to take care of themselves and harboring useful life skills
  • Focusing on your children’s strengths and finding solutions on how to handle their weaknesses
  • Building your child’s character by providing a safe and welcoming environment suitable for learning and growth
  • Relieving your children’s stress and anxiety that were brought about by bullying incidents

 

Source: llnwd.net

 

An Easy Way Out?

Critics might say that homeschooling is a way for parents to hide their kids instead of letting them deal with their fears at school. On the contrary, homeschooling is a way of nurturing your kids who are emotionally and physically wounded; it’s a haven for the abused. Homeschooling provides children appropriate time to heal and regain self-confidence that one day they will have the courage to stand up for themselves. “Homeschooling is not the best option for every family, but there are many benefits to this approach, and it can work very well in some situations”, said psychologist Dona Matthews Ph.D.