I had some limited experience with this this year, on J's very first bus ride. In fact, the first two weeks had some left over issues. What part of "kindergartners sit in the first 3 seats" doesn't a person in charge of driving a bus full of kids not understand? J went to the back of the bus!!! I was shocked, and had an immediate visceral reaction. I was on the phone with the vice principal (the handler of discipline) and the teacher, by the time we had completed our walk home from the bus stop. I wanted to get on the bus and tell the girl a thing or two myself.

THEN, the driver got PO'd with me, since I complained. J got off the bus one day and was crying. Driver said she didn't know why....she had to keep moving him cause he was hitting this kid, but she wasn't mean about it. Huh? Thank GOD for the other little girl at the bus stop. She said, "that boy was hitting J, and every time J moved, so did this boy. J only hit him that time to make him stop". I nearly hit the bus driver. She said, "oh, well I neve saw that part of it". Really. So, I called again. She can hate me all she wants, as long as she does her job.

I have told J similarly to what K9Karen says, though I haven't really focused n the "constantly asking him..." part. I have told him one or two times, tell an adult if nearby, then he is free to hit. I have received a comment or two from a family member about this...but my thought is if you don't want your child hit by mine, make sure yours doesn't hit first.

I can completely empathize with this father. Our situation doesn't even rate, and I was upset.

I agree with Kokopup, to an extent. I think bullying is a learned behavior at times. But, I think also it is just a personality trait (stemming from lack of self esteem/confidence). So, while the child might not be bullied at home, he/she is acting out from not having needs met at home.

And, as Kokopup said, sometimes the parent isn't receptive to the message that their child is a bully. I also think some people have different ideas as to what constitutes bullying vs. 'normal' behaviour. I don't think name calling is 'normal' behaviour. Some people think it is kids being kids.