Please help - responses for 10 yo Ds to say to low level winding up by "friend"

[tiredandgrumpy]

Ds is being wound up/ bullied by another boy in his class, who is supposed to be a friend. This boy is an immature little shit. Ds gets very upset by it but is adamant he can't tell a teacher.

We've just had a chat and he's decided that his tactic will be to just dismiss the taunts or wind ups and we're trying to come up with some simple putdowns. His favorite is "who needs enemies..". I have also suggested "whatever" and "oh just grow up" but, oh wise mumsnetters I know you are so much better than me. Any more suggestions?

Poor DS, my DD had this rubbish last year and along with 'whatever' I told her to say 'talk to my butt as I'm walking away' in a stupid fake American accent. It made her giggle as it was a touch rude and said in a silly way. And a good exaggerated eye roll, although I regret teaching her that as now she uses it against me!

I don't think my suggestions would really be appropriate for a 10 year old. Having seen my niece deal with name calling and bullying last year, it makes me angry. When the girl who picked on my niece would start, my niece would roll her eyes and act bored and say something like " your voice is so annoying." or "you are sooooo boring." Seemed to work for her.

Thank you both. It's good to hear we're trying the right tactic.

Could you teach him a swear?

Absolutely, just ignore. The best advice my Dad ever gave me. I was having similar problems with a group of girls when I was 12ish. Dad (quite obviously really) said that if you ignore them they'll get bored. And they did, within 24 hours. Never bothered me again.

Oh no, not swearing. Apart from the fact that he'll get into trouble, that's exactly the kind of "extreme" reaction the "friend" is hoping for.

Tit for tat won't help. It's likely to escalate it (btdt at the same age). If the boy really is a friend, who is simply annoying, then it would be fair for your DS to quietly tell him he's being annoying, without any other agenda. Otherwise, ignoring is the best option.