My DS gets bullied at school and feels like he has no friends. There has been physical attacks, and ongoing daily targeted name calling, pushing, pulling, tripping etc... We've engaged with the school about the bullying, they've tried to help, but not been successful. To the point where DS doesn't want to report it any more as it makes it worse.
Step son is in the same year group, and is friends with those who do the bullying. I don't believe he is part of the physical bullying, but the verbal stuff he is definitely part of. Mostly only joining in the laughing at DS, but also mocking him directly sometimes too.
They used to be friends, but very rarely talk to each other, even at home anymore.
If he was my biological child, i would 100% be saying cut it out, do not stand by and watch and laugh. Be supportive. Ask if he's ok, tell others to stop. Tell teachers. Tell us. Do something. Be a kind person.
He doesn't currently do any of this. When we've spoken to him, he says its just all banter that's taken the wrong way. He also says it's probably because DS does and says things are strange (in my opinion in an attempt to fit in) and that why it happens, and it would be better if he didn't do or say certain things. Comes across like he considers DS to not be one of the cool kids, and that's why they aren't friends, and that's why he gets bullied and has no friends.
In my step sons own words, he (himself), is very popular, friends with everyone, and no one bullies him because they are scared of him - although not because of physical stuff, just because he's very confident.
I feel like a slight change in step son could make a huge difference to DS at school. Be friends with him. Stick up for him a bit. Be supportive. I think his influence would really go a long way for DS at school. I don't want to burden step son with anything he shouldn't have to do or set unreasonable demands on him. I wouldn't expect him to be glued to each others side, just be supportive in some way.
What do you think? What should i do?