Calling someone names isn't on. OK, so it may not be bullying but instead a playground tiff. But surely we need to work with children so they know how to "fight fair", to debate, to listen and be listened to, and to not stoop to calling people "fat" or "thick" or "smelly" if they dislike their opinion. How many people have posted on BB over the years upset that one person has said used rude descriptors about them? And they are right to be upset, just as we can be upset if someone uses these words against our children. Just as I am upset if Liebling uses these words as weapons.

Just because it isn't bullying doesn't mean it is correct or that we don't need to do something about it. Learning how to argue starts when the child is young, and the better the skills here the more likely they are to have positive relationships in the future.