And so am I! I have been dealing with this situation for 3.5 yrs, and am tired of it. I've posted about this before 
My son is 8. He is a great kid, pretty introverted but generally happy & well-adjusted, does well at school, etc.
DS is friends with 2 other boys.
DS is more friends with one than the other. Two years ago (grade 1) DS was very upset by the 2 others excluding him, chasing him, etc. He tried to handle it himself, but didn't manage. I ended up talking to the parents and teachers, and it cleared up. He chose to keep them as friends.
They are not bad kids, but they tease a lot ("you're scared to do it!" etc.), and lately have been taking my sons hat. I don't think it's malicious, but he doesn't like it and has told them that. I did notice after we left the schoolyard, the boy that is less my sons friend did the same thing to the other boy
. The other 2 sometimes exclude/bug him in subtle ways. I have no idea if DS replays this dynamic in another combination & I don't know about it, but I don't think so. He was SO annoyed after school today.
He's chilling out right now, and I've told him we're going to visit his favorite friend in a week and a half, so he's quite happy about that. Thank god for friends outside of school!!!
OK deep breath.
Is this normal behavior and I just have to teach my son to stand up for himself (suggestions welcome!!!!!!!!!!!) or is this an unhealthy situation, and should I encourage him to branch out & away from the triangle if they're not behaving like friends should?
Totally appreciate feedback, I need some perspective before I talk to him tonight.
My son is 8. He is a great kid, pretty introverted but generally happy & well-adjusted, does well at school, etc.
DS is friends with 2 other boys.
DS is more friends with one than the other. Two years ago (grade 1) DS was very upset by the 2 others excluding him, chasing him, etc. He tried to handle it himself, but didn't manage. I ended up talking to the parents and teachers, and it cleared up. He chose to keep them as friends.
They are not bad kids, but they tease a lot ("you're scared to do it!" etc.), and lately have been taking my sons hat. I don't think it's malicious, but he doesn't like it and has told them that. I did notice after we left the schoolyard, the boy that is less my sons friend did the same thing to the other boy
. The other 2 sometimes exclude/bug him in subtle ways. I have no idea if DS replays this dynamic in another combination & I don't know about it, but I don't think so. He was SO annoyed after school today.He's chilling out right now, and I've told him we're going to visit his favorite friend in a week and a half, so he's quite happy about that. Thank god for friends outside of school!!!
OK deep breath.
Is this normal behavior and I just have to teach my son to stand up for himself (suggestions welcome!!!!!!!!!!!) or is this an unhealthy situation, and should I encourage him to branch out & away from the triangle if they're not behaving like friends should?
Totally appreciate feedback, I need some perspective before I talk to him tonight.
