My Child Is Being Bullied by a Former Friend, and the Friend’s Mom is Backing Her Son Up

Photo byKsenia MakagonovaonUnsplash

During break time at school, my son was bullied by a former friend. Although my son had noticed a change in their relationship, he was not expecting to be punched and kicked without provocation. According to the teacher, other students playing the same game also received a beating from the aggressor. The child’s mother used to be my friend, but we drifted apart due to her busy schedule. Her children used to visit our house frequently but stopped coming because, according to my son, everyone is always angry there. Recently, she called me accusing my son of being a bully because he refused to play with her child, but I explained to her that he only stopped playing because the other child was too bossy. Her child rarely plays with other kids because he is not picked up by a parent after school, but she believes that he should be able to arrange it himself because that is how she was raised.

The school’s head has been informed, along with the parents of the other two students who were also assaulted. However, I am unsure what the school’s response to this situation will be. The parents of the aggressor are known to be hotheaded, and even the teacher is slightly intimidated by them. As for me, I am close friends with the teacher and was shocked when I learned what happened to my son. He was hurt and does not want his classmate at our house anymore. I am wondering whether I should confront the mother of the aggressor about the incident or let the school handle it. This mother tends to see her children as victims, even though they often provoke others. While my son, being small, will not resort to physical aggression, he makes it clear when he no longer wants to play.

Do I let this only play out at school or do I contact the mother and ask for an explanation like she did when my kid did not want to play with hers and she called it exclusion?

Ps. The mother really believes her kids get bullied and are victims in everything even though I have seen and pointed out that they do a lot of provoking too and my kid being small will not get physical but will clearly state his boundaries and stick to his words when he says he doesn’t want to play anymore.