Bullies WWYD?

[Yannynotlaurel]

My DGD (10) visits once a week but I found out today that she is being picked on by a group of about 7 traveller kids of similar age who live one street over.

I give her money and she goes to the sweetshop on her own which is a 2 minute walk away, but last week she didn't want to go.

It was only today when she was playing in the front garden I saw the kids shouting at her and when I confronted them they squared up to me and proudly declared they didn't like her as she wasn't from around here.

I pointed out their parents aren't originally from here so do they hate their parents? They told me to shut up so me and DGD went inside.

WWYD?

Do I visit their house and kindly ask their parents to speak to their kids? - I don't honestly think that will accomplish anything because if that's the way their children talk and behave I doubt their parental skills are up to much.

I want DGD to be able to play in the garden and go to the shops free of fear of being chased and shouted out (which is what has been happening for a month now).

I want a solution that isn't avoid playing in the garden or going to the shops on your own as that just means the bullies win and can do what they want.

I don't know what to do for the best.

We had this with ds2. He was picked on by the other kids on the estate because he’s different. We just had to keep him in. Not ideal, but we couldn’t run the risk of him being beaten up. Bullies do generally win. Standing up to them just makes them worse. There’s nothing you can do apart from avoid situations that lead to interaction with them.

Or get a huge dog 😌

It's pretty sad how tv and movies make out like good wins, but it doesn't. From my own experience schools were so lean on bullies but would throw the book at good kids who fought back.

Makes me sad I can't do anything meaningful to help my DGD.

There’s nothing you can do, there are more of them. You just have to keep her in

I would not advise having anything to do with the parents.

Avoid, avoid, avoid at any cost.

I would be careful of confronting the kids parents incase you bring a whole world of trouble to your door,

It would be safer for her if you escort her to the shop (incase they actually beat her up or something)

Keep a log of dates and incidents and what was said, just incase it escalates and you have to call police

Play the long game with DGD 'oh I need X from the shop shall we go together?

She'll really appreciate your thoughtfulness without her admitting she's scared

Why cant she play round the back?

I would agree with staying close enough to intervene and keeping a log. If it goes on for a few weeks then maybe speak with the non emergency police about harassment.

My DGD (10) visits once a week but I found out today that she is being picked on by a group of about 7 traveller kids of similar age who live one street over.

Are they living there permanently or might they move on soon?

Either way, probably best just to avoid them and their parents tbh.