- University of Indonesia psychologist Saskia Rosita Indasari advises parents to remain calm, offer emotional safety, and communicate openly when discovering that their child has faced bullying, emphasizing understanding over anger.
- Educational psychologist Saskia Rosita Indasari underscores the importance of calm responses, empathy, and supportive communication from parents when children experience bullying. Her insights encourage joint problem-solving and emotional resilience.
- When a child becomes a bullying victim, University of Indonesia psychologist Saskia Rosita Indasari stresses the need for parents to stay composed, foster open communication, and ensure emotional safety at home. Her advice aims to help children develop confidence and emotional strength in facing life’s challenges.
According to Saskia, parents often unconsciously mirror their emotional response to their children, and children tend to imitate how adults handle distressing situations. “Parents should remain calm and avoid reacting emotionally. The most important thing is to reassure the child by creating a sense of safety — a simple hug or gentle embrace can mean a lot,”.
Saskia added that once bullying is confirmed, parents need to examine their child’s physical condition to check for any signs of violence or harm on the body.
Following that, she suggested, parents should give their children room to share their experiences — what happened, who was involved, and whether the incident has been reported to teachers or trusted adults.
Parents, she said, should also openly ask their children what kind of help or response they expect. “If the child needs support or direct intervention, parents should accompany them in addressing the issue calmly, without turning it into a conflict with other parents or students,” Saskia advised.
For school-age or teenage children, Saskia recommended an active discussion between parents and children about possible ways to handle bullying. Parents are encouraged to involve their children in finding solutions and empowering them to confidently resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, when the victim is a preschooler or early elementary school student, parents must take a more instructive role in teaching how to respond to bullying. “This can be done by reading stories about friendship, empathy, and emotional management,” she said.
Saskia also emphasized the importance of maintaining warm and open communication at home. Such communication allows children to freely share their experiences at school without fear of judgment or punishment.
When parents notice behavioral changes — such as withdrawal, irritability, or reluctance to go to school — they should gently ask about the child’s emotional state and potential issues they face. “Parents can start conversations by sharing their own stories of handling difficult situations. This openness usually encourages children to open up as well,” she said.
According to Saskia, these efforts collectively help children navigate bullying more effectively and equip them with emotional resilience and problem-solving skills to overcome similar challenges in the future.
Indonesianpost.com | ANTARA