A few days ago a mum who I don't know that well but am friendly with told me that my DC (5) has been bullying hers. She said that other parents have mentioned them same. I am absolutely mortified about it and desperate to manage it in the right way. School have fobbed me off a bit and said that it's nothing basically. But I can really see the things that the mum is saying, as in I can imagine my DC acting in the way described so I don't think she is exaggerating. It's not violent or really really serious sounding but it still needs to be dealt with. I haven't wanted to talk to my DC until having a proper meeting with school about it so I can understand it a bit better but they are being so rubbish I think I need to. It is complicated to address as it sounds a bit unkind and manipulative rather than a simple 'hitting is wrong, you will be punished' etc.
I'd really appreciate any advice about how to manage it from people who have gone through similar. And hopefully success stories! As well as obviously being devastated that another child is being made unhappy by mine, I'm also feeling really worried about not being able to sort this out properly and that my DC will be negatively impacted in life, have no friends because they aren't kind etc.