A mum has asked the internet for advice after admitting that she was bullied in school and she said she doesn't want her son to have to go through the same things she did. The mother opened up about the fact she suffered similar berating to Will from the hit comedy 'The Inbetweeners', where he was routinely humiliated and called 'briefcase w*****'.
She took to Mumsnet to plead for ways to ensure that her son wouldn't face the same sort of suffering she did during his school days, and was met with a lot of kind comments and advice from people feeling a similar way.
Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter here
She wrote: "I was badly bullied at secondary and hated it with a passion. it was similar to Will from The Inbetweeners where everyone called him 'briefcase w*****' and even his mates didn't seem to like him that much but he was stuck with them. Well, that was me and it was terrible.
"I don't really know what started it, but once you are othered it sticks. Even people I didn't know or have classes with or recognise would 'know' me and trip me up, call me names, pull my clothes, rip my tights, pour drinks on me, lock me in the toilet stalls. There was no respite for the whole five years.
"I really don't want my son to have to go through that . But how do I prevent it? Is it a simple case of following trends and buying Nike shoes? I'm not really one for following trends but I'm willing to jump on any bandwagon to ensure he fits in.
"When should he invite friends round? Do you still have birthday parties? What about sleepovers? I just don't know what's expected as my experience was wildly different from the norm. Any advice appreciated."
Other parents were quick to sympathise with the concerned mum, trying to make her feel better about her son heading to secondary school.
One wrote: "I would say that wearing brands seems important to them - Nike trainers at the least. Birthday parties are still very much a thing-cinema, paintballing, escape rooms.
"Sleepovers are a regular occurrence too. I have some of the parent's phone numbers and we often organise taking the boys out during the holidays. Mountain biking is massive so might be worth getting your son out on his bike.
"It very much depends on the child and the friends they make though. I think schools are far more inclusive now. They find their people. I know it's hard but try not to worry."
Another suggested accepting him for who he is, rather than forcing him to be who he isn't to fit in.
They commented: "The only thing you can do is by genuinely accepting him as he is, however that may be (cool, uncool, nerdy, sporty, introverted, shy whatever).
"One of my boys was quite unusual, geeky and did things like robot camp and never played football in his life. Primary school was a bit tough, but in secondary school he really found his tribe, and then nothing else matters
"His tutor said he was so deliberately uncool he came out the other side as cool, which summed it up.
"He will most probably be totally fine, secondary school can be a bit of a jungle but most kids learn some resilience and life lessons, and make friends."
What advice would you give? Let us know in the comments.
