My DS was talking about a club that his friend invented. Ds’ sibling wanted to join the club, DS said it’s up to his friend because his friend cancels or creates new clubs whenever he wants to. DS said, “That’s his choice. He makes the rules and I just follow them. I think I’m a really good follower actually.” He said the last part proudly.
Ds is really small, quiet and shy and is definitely easily led. He also (by choice) doesn’t have many friends and only really one proper friend at school.
I also often overhear his older cousin tell him to do stuff they shouldn’t sometimes, and DS will do the thing.
My DF was there when it happened once and I said I was worried about that trait of DS’. (In this instance, DS’s cousin told DS to hit his other cousin because he wouldn’t play the game. DS did it.)
DF said that DS wants to do the not-nice thing, he’s only following because it gives him permission to do the thing he wants to do anyway.
But I’m not so sure!
And I don’t know if being a follower is a good thing. I try to raise DS’s self esteem… but I can suddenly see him getting into trouble when he’s older because he’s doing what his friends say, etc.
This all started when he started school, which he hated at first. He wasn’t like this before. But then, he’s been there for 3 years now, so it’s hard to tell anymore.