Bullying....

[Smowball]

Young smow can in from sports day today and looked ever so upset but insisted nothing was wrong. After a while eventually burst into tears and said that on the way home on bus this gang of girls and boys took the mickey out of him the whole way, his ears - dumbo etc. Says is has been happening for months and months but he hasnt told me. Also happens in playground. He knows kids by sight but not names. Told him to ignore it as they are clearly immature but he says he has been trying that for montha and hasnt worked. Says doesnt want to go to school on Monday. Dont think speaking to school will really help as could make worse. Anybody had experience of this?

[DaisyNonna]

The school needs to be aware of this problem.

[lcg]

you have to ensure that the school has a robust bullying policy and response to reports of bullying before reporting it. it is no good getting the school to highlight your son as a victim if they don't do anything about it - he will be targeted for being a 'grass' and a wimp for reporting it (i'm not saying for a minute that this is right - but it is the way things turn out sometimes). my son's school was useless and made the problem worse - which made me resort to the only way the bully would understand. try and find out from others if they have had any issues with bullying and the school first before diving in.

[Smowball]

wiggal - thankyou so much for sharing that.

So I will also share- at school aged 13/14 a certain boy made my life hell. Waited for me at end of path every day, i could see him from the top and dreaded walking down it. To cut long story short, few years later aged 18/19 I was in a pub with friend when I spotted him in corner tablewith group of mated. had had a biy of Dutch courage so walked over and said " Are you the boy who used to bully me at school?" he looked at me for a bit and laughed, and said "Migh have been" and turned to chat with his mates. I was so angry I picked up his pint, poured it over his head and slapped him round the face. His mated burts into hysterical laughtr, and e just sat there and didnt utter a word. prob shouldnt have done that but god did I feel good.

[Smowball]

To all others, the bullying website says to speak to the bus company but dont know what they would actually do.

[Dee Sa]

can you collect him by car from school ? my grandaughter took up karate age 10 to make sure she would not be bullied trouble was her so called "friends" would then threaten their enemies that she would go and beat them up !

[nicelad!]

you have to be careful that your reactions wont make things worse, I suggest speaking to your son and ask him how he would like to cope with this and what he wants done. Just be there for him.

[Answerprancer]

Kids have a way of 'seeing through' someone who is ignoring their taunts in my experience. The ringleaders are often intuitive little b*stards and expert in spotting hurt within their victims then capitalising on it. The best thing afaic is if LittleSmow thinks about his friends and how great it is to have them, sod anyone else. Sensitivity can be a good thing, I bet he's sensitive about other people's feelings too.

[Smowball]

Yes he is very sensitive. Took him to visit his older brother yesterday(18) who did make him feel a bit better about in in a teenage way lol.Just how sad they must be and had nothing better to do. Not going to stop it but just his take on it.