Talk to your kid about being able to take a joke, and understanding when someone is making fun to hurt your feelings vs just teasing - essentially, understanding intent. If they are able to come to the realization this friend was not mocking to hurt, but just joshing around, ask how he thinks his friend feels about having teased knowing it hurt DC's feelings and how they feel about getting hit. Ask DC how they'd handle the same issue if it happens again - see if the answer is different from getting violent (tell the person to stop, tease back, tell a teacher, walk away, tell the kid if they don't stop DC won't want to hang with them anymore, etc.).

Really break it down. If your child feels bad, THEY should apologize. Not you, them. But don't force them to give an apology they don't feel.

Anonymous wrote:Was it an isolated incident? I would want to understand the situation in detail and have my kid sincerely apologize to the other kid.

It was an isolated incident. DC felt the other kid was mocking DC. Seems like the other kid was just joking around, but DC did not take it that way. The other kid has hit DC at least once. They are friends generally. Still, I am very embarrassed.

Was it an isolated incident? I would want to understand the situation in detail and have my kid sincerely apologize to the other kid.

DC got in an argument at aftercare and hit a friend. I am mortified and have disciplined him. Do I need to apologize to the other kid's parents, or does that just make the situation worse?