Question
There is a 4th grader (our son is in third grade) that keeps calling our kid “fatass”.
We tell him that there are people that sometimes, when they don’t feel good inside, say things to try to hurt people.
What else can we tell him to help him deal with mean comments?
Should we say something to the school?
It’s been a few times with the same kid that calls him names.
Answer
Yes, speak to the school.
Also help him understand that there will always be someone in his life that will want to feel better about themselves by making others less than them.
Let him know that when this person gives his opinion he has to ask himself on the inside
“Is that someone I relate to?”
“Is that someone I share values with?”
“Is that someone who I consider safe?”
“Is that someone who I wish to be friends with?”
If most of these questions are ‘no’ then ...let go of that person's comment by saying to himself “that hurt, but I have others in my life who don’t judge me that way” then breathe and walk away.