My DS is 6 and being bullied by two friends. It started with one friend and has spread to another. My son has been withdrawn and it has massively impacted his esteem, self confidence and memory. He has not answered a question about friends or school for months. We found out by him blurting bits out. And observing things. And him telling us about what is happening through some characters he's created.
School are involved but as it mainly happens in the playground it's hard for them to catch. My son seems to put up with it as he's so ground down he sees it as things he's done wrong and he's loyal so he doesn't report it.
Thing is he will not stop playing with these boys. Gets so upset if we suggest he needs to move away. He has other friends. He won't talk about anything, we are at a loss. If this sounds like he's a pushover, usually he isn't. This kind of behaviour is common in friendship bullying.
We feel moving school is a last resort. We choose this school as we love the ethos, facilities and focus on sport and art. I want to protect my child but feel angry that we should have to move because of these as. Also what happens if he encounters this behaviour again? We keep moving?
I feel a real option as well as continuing to push the school, is to get my son to move away from these boys. Any advice on how I can get through to my son that these boys are not his friends? (we have read boys about good friends, what makes a good friend etc).