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WWYD - tell a parent her child is potentially being bullied?

10 replies

GreatBallsOfFluff · 08/05/2012 04:45

DD recently had her first sleepover with three of her friends. I had had reservations about one of the girls DD had invited (lets call her Anne), as when she has been to our house previously I've noticed her to be slightly bossy and dominant. Everything has to be her way, she'll sulk if she doesn't get it etc. For these reasons I have to say I've not been making much of an effort to invite Anne round, and in fairness DD hasn't made too much of a fuss having her round.

Anyway, so noticed over the course of the afternoon and evening, Anne was singling out one of the other girls (lets call her Bea). DD has been friends with Bea since the beginning of primary school, and DD and Bea get on amazingly. Negotiate between themselves, don't argue and when Bea is here or DD is at Bea's house, you wouldn't know they were there. But throughout the afternoon, playing games Anne would say "oh Bea you'll go last you don't mind" but it wouldn't be a question it would be a statement or an order. There was an argument about where they were going to sit in the restaurant and Bea lost against Anne as well. There were other things but I can't think of them at the moment but I intervened a few times to let Anne know exactly who was in charge (she tried to undermine me when the third girl in the group asked me to do something and Anne chimed in and told her no she couldn't to which I replied "I'm in charge here, regardless of whether she can or can't do it, she asked me and it is my decision not yours".

So, I was talking Bea's mum when she came to pick her up, and I said that Bea was lovely and welcome anytime as usual, but did say I'd think twice about having Anne again as I felt she was in the middle of all disagreements and more trouble than the friendship is worth. Bea's mum did say similar and that she hadn't had Anne over for a long time due to her dominance over Bea.

Speaking to a totally unrelated third party over lunch one day, he pointed out that Anne was essentially picking on the weak one in the pack (I had made the comment that DD and other girl who was there can hold their own against Anne, but Bea is not very - can't think of the word but strong/confident). I realised he had made a very good point and it was like that for the weekend, in that Bea was singled out or excluded. A couple of times as well DD and other girl stood up for Bea.

To end this horrifically jumbled mess, would you tell Bea's mother that you're concerned as Bea and Anne are in the same class together? Or stay out of it as it's none of my business (girls are 7 by the way). I just feel that in my experience so far with DD there's more than just normal squabbling between Anne and Bea.

OP posts:
NiceViper · 08/05/2012 06:39

Stand clear.

This isn't bullying in the usual sense; it's not hidden, or roping in others to gang up etc. It's just plain bossiness. Some children do this, and the error of their ways is usually more effectively pointed out by their peers. The drying up of invitations to your house will assist that process.

Her behaviour at a sleepover is also not necessarily indicative of what happens at school.

catsareevil · 08/05/2012 06:58

Stay out of it. It sounds like her behaviour is pretty obvious, there are girls like this, and Bea mum already knows that there are issues.

If you did speak to the mum what would you be telling her that she doesnt already know?

GreatBallsOfFluff · 08/05/2012 07:21

Niceviper while i agree it's not bullying in the strictest sense, what didn't sit right is how it was always towards Bea rather than dd or the other girl as if deliberately picking on the quieter of the group.

Anne hadnt been to play here for over a year prior to the sleepover and Beas mum said similar. I had hoped that over the time Anne would be better but seems not.

What im worried about is that Bea didst try standing up for herself at all, and as someone who was bullied myself at school im worried about Bea's confidence if Anne continues to single her out in this way. or i could be massively over thinking and letting my own prejudices cloud my judgement

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 08/05/2012 08:16

Well, if Bea's mum already agreed that Anne hadn't been allowed around to play then I would say she's well aware of the way Anne is with her daughter.

So there really isn't any need to say anything, is there?

Bletchley · 08/05/2012 08:30

Stay out of it. They're 7this happens. I'm sure the other mum can deal with it IF it becomes an issue for her daughter. It's not bullying.

GreatBallsOfFluff · 08/05/2012 10:36

Ok will stay out of it. just hate the thought of Bea's confidence slowly being cut away at by a dominant figure and her mum possibly not knowing.

But you're right it's not bullying in the strictest sense

thanks

OP posts:
Catsmamma · 08/05/2012 10:38

why would you not tell Anne off for being bossy?

mistlethrush · 08/05/2012 10:46

I have had a word with DS in similar circumstances, pointing out that its not good if A picks on B and friends of B would not accept that sort of behavior towards their friend. And certainly wouldn't accept B being excluded from things because of A's suggestions. DS would appear to have picked up on the situation and be in agreement that B should not be excluded, and should be stood up for.

You don't even need to make it about A and B specifically.

SecondhandRose · 13/05/2012 17:47

Yep, agree steer clear of getting involved with this. Young Anne will learn one day when all the girls stand together and tell her to shut up or they will vote with their feet and her invites will dry up.

Floggingmolly · 18/05/2012 19:21

But you've already said it to Bea's mum, haven't you? And she agreed she's noticed? Confused
I think you have to leave it to her now, unless you hear of a specific incident that you think she needs to know about.

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