He is very independent-minded and stubborn, so for him to directly ask for help would probably mean something fairly serious was going on. However, he does complain about certain things the older girl has said or done, which perhaps could be a way of indirectly asking for help.
And yes, I agree with you that he needs to develop his skills in dealing with difficult people. That is why I haven't stepped in before. I do give him advice, and remind him he can always go somewhere else and not play with her, if she is going to be nasty. He does have the courage to do this, and has.
I think that my issue is really two-fold. First, I am protective of my son and don't want him in a situation where he is being bullied. Second, it's very difficult for me to understand this girl's behaviour, so I'm perplexed. But the truth is, the girl's behaviour is none of my business, as she (thankfully) not my child.
I agree with you that parents who attempt to micromanage their children's social interactions are doing them a disservice. However, if this girl's actively bad behaviour (as opposed to her rudeness, which is annoying, but not actually harmful) persists, then I do feel it's my responsibility to restrict my son's opportunities to be around her.
Thank you again for your well-thought out responses.
Is it normal for a child to have considerably older friends?
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He is very independent-minded and stubborn, so for him to directly ask for help would probably mean something fairly serious was going on. However, he does complain about certain things the older girl has said or done, which perhaps could be a way of indirectly asking for help.
And yes, I agree with you that he needs to develop his skills in dealing with difficult people. That is why I haven't stepped in before. I do give him advice, and remind him he can always go somewhere else and not play with her, if she is going to be nasty. He does have the courage to do this, and has.
I think that my issue is really two-fold. First, I am protective of my son and don't want him in a situation where he is being bullied. Second, it's very difficult for me to understand this girl's behaviour, so I'm perplexed. But the truth is, the girl's behaviour is none of my business, as she (thankfully) not my child.
I agree with you that parents who attempt to micromanage their children's social interactions are doing them a disservice. However, if this girl's actively bad behaviour (as opposed to her rudeness, which is annoying, but not actually harmful) persists, then I do feel it's my responsibility to restrict my son's opportunities to be around her.
Thank you again for your well-thought out responses.