Children who are being bullied may show some very important characteristics for us to carefully monitor. While these signs can vary depending on the individual, here are a few signs that I consider very important to identify as a parent that your kid is a victim of bullying:

1. Withdrawal or social isolation: Bullied children may withdraw from social interactions and isolate themselves from friends and peers. They may avoid social situations, clubs, or activities they used to enjoy. They may also struggle to make friends or have difficulty maintaining relationships.

2. Changes in behavior or mood: Bullied children may display sudden changes in behavior, such as becoming more anxious, fearful, or irritable. They may have depression, sadness, loss of interest in activities, or changes in appetite and sleep patterns. 

3. Physical complaints: Some bullied children may frequently complain of physical ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, or other unexplained pains. These complaints may be a triggered by the stress or anxiety caused by bullying. 

4. Decline in academic performance: Bullying can significantly impact a child's ability to concentrate and perform academically. A child who is being bullied many times can no longer focus on grades or school subjects, the fear , the anticipation and danger of bullying won?t let them do anything else. 

5. Loss of personal belongings: Bullied children may frequently lose or damage their personal belongings, such as school supplies, books, or clothing. This can be a result of theft, destruction, or other kids actions in order gain control and/or intimidation 

6. Unexplained injuries: Physical bullying can lead to visible injuries such as bruises, cuts, or scratches. A child who is being bullied may have difficulty explaining these injuries or may offer inconsistent or implausible explanations for how they got hurt. If your child says, I don?t know where these came from? Please find out, take action and monitor future occurrences.

7. Avoidance of specific places or people: Bullied children may actively avoid certain places, such as school bathrooms, hallways, or specific areas where bullying incidents have occurred. This can be happening just outside of your home, just like it did to Corina and myself. They may also avoid certain individuals, including the bully or their accomplices. ? Those kids that your child avoids or no longer want to be friends with/ are worth further investigation or monitoring.

8. Low self-esteem or self-blame: Bullied children may exhibit low self-esteem, self-blame, or feelings of worthlessness. They may believe that they are responsible for the bullying or that something is inherently wrong with them, contributing to their victimization. 

This is extremely important to monitor, be there with your child and offer support, love and compassion, let them know how important they are to this world, to you, to their brothers and sisters. 

It's important to remember that these characteristics are not definitive proof of bullying, as they can also be indicative of other issues. However, if you suspect a child is being bullied, it is crucial to provide them with support, listen to them, and involve appropriate authorities or professionals to address the situation effectively.