Raising kids is scary. We have a really tough time with the youngest (just turned 13), he has what I refer to as “mob mentality”. He is a great kid, very polite, loving, and helpful. However, we have been noticing his behavior around his friends does not necessarily have those same qualities. He has one friend who seems to really bring out the worst, we don’t let that boy come over to our house anymore (the other boy on the surface does not seem bad, but the behavior of ours around this other boy is intolerable). I check the texts and e-mails and saw a series of F-you type texts between the boys and did a reply all text informing them I was going to track down their parents and show them the texts if I ever saw it again. We had a talk with our son, but geez it is just non stop.
I think your boy is totally normal, does not sound like a bully or bullying behavior. From the sounds of the other dad, perhaps there are some deeper insecurities going on at home and he “told” his dad perhaps for a reaction/attention from his dad. A tough one for kids, the breach of trust amongst your peers goes deep; the fine line of what to tell your parents and what not to. We tell our kids we want them to tell us everything, but maybe as protective parents we don’t always have the ability to take a step back and know when to let the kids work it out themselves.
Anyway, I feel for you on this one. Use it as a good opportunity to dialogue with your son.
