Community Chat

[closetQVCgirl]

I have mixed feelings about this and I am hoping to get some perspectives of others who have dealt with bullying or being accused of bullying.

A friend of mine has a very nice little boy who is 8 and a very typical little boy. One day his mom got called into the principal's office because her son had apparently said "Don't make me hurt you" to another child. The other child had pushed him, and he was joking back with her to prevent her from continuing. I know both kids, and I think the situation was elevated to something it was not. He has always played fair and has been non-aggressive with my son, who is much smaller and would be a classic target. My opinion is that this wasn't bullying, or not dangerous behavior in any case. His parents are very nice, and his mother told me that she was really disappointed that the child's parents didn't come to her first instead of going straight to the principal.

On the other hand, my son has been repeadedly told by one of his classmates at school that if he doesn't do what this other little boy says (share food, share answers, etc.) he will hit him. My son is truly afraid of this other boy. He never has told his teacher because he is afraid she will get him beaten up by the boy, or that his peers will make fun of him. I do believe this is bullying, and not just because it's my kid!

What qualifies bullying? I think what defines it for me is the issue of whether fear and intimidation are involved, but it's not clear cut. The other thing is that I know sometimes we draw lines short of bullying because we are trying to nip it in the bud. What do you think?