Another child at school has been hitting my child, and now he’s scared to go to school. He asked me what to do in this situation, so I advised him to tell his teacher. Although the teacher spoke to the children involved, they didn’t listen. My child is in 3rd grade. At one point, I told him to hit back, but I soon realized that’s not the right way to handle the situation. Even though the parents of the children who have been hitting have been informed, the problem still hasn’t been resolved. What should I do?

It sounds like you’re facing a challenging situation, and it’s understandable to be concerned about your child’s well-being. Here’s a step-by-step approach you might consider:

1. Talk to Your Child: Let your child know that you’re there for them and that their feelings are valid. Encourage them to share how they feel about the situation. This helps them feel supported and reassured that they’re not alone.
2. Empower Your Child: Teach your child how to stand up for themselves in a non-violent way. Role-playing different scenarios at home can help them feel more confident. For example, they can use strong, firm words like “Stop, I don’t like that!” or walk away and find a safe adult immediately.
3. Follow Up with the School: Since the issue persists, it’s important to maintain open communication with the teacher and school administration. Request a meeting with the teacher, school counselor, or principal to discuss the ongoing problem. Ensure that the school is aware of the seriousness of the situation and ask about the specific steps they are taking to ensure your child’s safety.
4. Involve a School Counselor: If the school has a counselor, they can work with your child to build confidence and coping skills. They can also work with the other children involved to address the root of the behavior.
5. Teach Conflict Resolution: Encourage your child to make friends with other children in the class who are kind and supportive. Having a buddy system can help them feel safer and more confident. You might also want to teach them how to resolve conflicts peacefully, which is a valuable life skill.
6. Consider External Support: If the issue continues, and your child remains distressed, you may want to seek guidance from a child psychologist or counselor who can help your child process their feelings and develop strategies for coping with the situation.
7. Monitor the Situation: Keep in close contact with your child and the school to monitor how the situation evolves. If there’s no improvement, you might need to escalate the matter within the school or consider other educational options if the environment remains unsafe.

It’s important to ensure your child feels supported and knows that resorting to violence is not the answer. With the right support and intervention, the situation can improve.