DS is 7, CM's son is 10 and they both go to the same school.
Recently DS has been getting less and less keen about going to hers after school (3 days per week)- he has been going there since just after February half term. When I picked him up yesterday I could tell something was bothering him, he was close to tears but "holding it in".
I think that there is some natural competition between the boys, they both love football and CM's older son (more accomplished too- he plays football for the junior side of a nationally known football team) doesn't want to have to "play down" to ds's level. Which I can understand to some extent.
However I think my keen-to-please little chap is feeling used (without identifying the feeling as such, just interpreting what he's told me)- cm's son will say to ds when ds doesn't really want to get totally and mind numbingly trounced by this lad "come on x come and play football if you win I will let you play with my such and such toy" that he knows ds adores but is not allowed to play with, and he knows full well that ds wont be able to beat him, or he'll set rules that he knows mean ds wont be able to compete with (e.g. ds can't tackle, or will position the goals so that ds has to shoot uphill on the rather steep slope they play on, makes it v hard for ds)
Now of course the older chap does all this so ds won't be able to beat him, no matter how hard he tries. And goodness knows he tries, he's exhausted when we collect him ;)
He also tries to stop ds join in with football games at breaktimes at school, although ds just ignores him and joins in anyway (the rest of the children are very happy to have ds in the game as he is an enthusiastic participant and whilst not as accomplished as cm's son, quite useful in a mixed team)
But I think DS is feeling brow beaten, and it's upsetting him. I'm not really sure how to address this. I'm not suggesting that it?s a case of "my poor little son, you must let him win you nasty older creature you!" but at the same time this older lad is taking advantage of the fact that my son is smaller than him and, well, just not being terribly kind.
It all feels so petty and silly and I suppose if it was adults, it would be, but it is really making my ds upset and is the first time we've had to deal with "friendship" issues.
Do I talk to the CM about this? Or is there anything I can suggest to ds to help him negotiate his way through it?