Another child is bothering my child at school

When your child says another child is bothering them, it is important to listen seriously without jumping immediately to conclusions.

Short answer

Gather information calmly: what happens, how often, where, who is present, and how your child responds. A conflict between peers and a repeated pattern of intimidation are not the same thing.

What you can do

Let your child tell the story in their own words.

“What happened next?”

“Has this happened before?”

“Who was there?”

“What do you do when it happens?”

Help them practise clear responses and identify adults at school they can go to.

If the situation repeats or worries you, contact the school and share concrete observations rather than only labels.

What to avoid

Avoid telling your child simply to ignore it, hit back, or solve everything alone. Also avoid confronting another child directly without coordinating with the responsible adults.

When adult intervention is essential

If there is repeated harm, intimidation, a power imbalance, threats, physical aggression, or signs that your child feels unsafe, adults need to intervene. Possible bullying should be addressed with the school rather than treated as ordinary conflict.