Does anyone really struggle with their kid having a frenemy??
My son is 10 and has had a frenemy in his class for the past few years. This kid delights in the classic best friend one moment and then excluding him from the group the next.
We’ve encouraged my son to stay away from this child who is really loud and has to be centre of attention. Trouble is when he does find a new friend this child swoops in and tries to dominate them. This kid is super manipulative and he has this down to an art. He even sits there looking over to my son with a smirk on his face - vile!
As a mumma bear I really struggle emotionally with the whole situation. My son is kind and quiet so doesn’t answer back and easily forgives which probably makes him an easy target for this frenemy. He’s well liked for these qualities too so I don’t want him to change. Over the past 6 months he has become wise to the child and is answering back to him more, this has resulted in the child intensifying his controlling behaviour with other kids and turning others against him.
Thing is my son isn’t too worried and doesn’t get upset which is good but I can’t help but feel pain when I see/hear it happening and get really angry. Is it just me that takes on the pain of their child or perceived pain even when it’s not there?? How do others handle it?