Sensitive 8 year old son - needs to toughen up?

[3boysandadog23]

My 8 year old has had a few run ins with some very confident and boisterous boys who I have seen been quite nasty to him. He’s a quiet boy who lacks confidence and I’ve always worried he doesn’t have close enough friendships as I would like. His not disliked by people but he’s not someone that everyone runs to play with.

When speaking to his teacher he says he is too sensitive and takes things too seriously. Should I be trying to toughen him up or is there not much that can be done with a sensitive personality?

Thank you for your help!

Yes he can and should leave mechanisms to help him cope in life - giving up is a bad idea.

and leaning to roll with the punches life throws your way is always a good skill

although what exactly is he taking too seriously ? Is it a case of he just needs to find children who are more “serious” or does she mean he takes mild ribbing too much to heart , or is she excusing bullying behaviour? Although a child that shows upset and emotion at bullying won’t be helping themselves . However wrong bullying is, it will happen and it’s how you cope that matters as much as anything

Your son should not have to 'toughen up'. The more boisterous ones should be toned down!

It's ridiculous that, for all of the teaching that it's OK to be different, children (and adults!) are still being discriminated against... for being themselves!

the world is a tough place and not getting easier
you might want a nice kind world but we don’t live there - you need to prepare your child for the real world not the idealised one

thank you for your responses. @childofthe607080s I think he finds banter and silly comments hard and really takes things to heart . He gets embarrassed easily and if people laugh at something he’s done (like not doing well at gymnastics at school) then he gets quite upset. Any suggestions to help toughen him up?

Hi OP, I know this is an old post but I wondered if you had any luck/advice with this? I’m currently going through the same with my 8 year old boy.
Ive read the replies saying ‘yes toughen him up’ but how?!

Would you ‘toughen up’ an 8 year old girl?

Is there another class he could be moved to ?