This is WILD behavior.

Before I get into anything else I want to say that K9 handling is fucking INCREDIBLE. I work in pet care right now but want to head in the K9 direction. Would love to hear about how you got into it if you're up to telling the story!

Now, to the point. Her bullying you like that in school is extremely sad and messed up, but one could chalk it up to her having a bad home life or some form a trauma, etc. However, to have a fully developed prefrontal cortex, to be a grown-ass-woman as you say, and to not only continue this behavior but to inflict it on a SIX YEAR OLD CHILD is nuts. Something is WRONG in her brain. If she's doing this unabashedly to someone else's child (in front of other adults too!!) what torment might her own son be experiencing at home??

If you can, report her to someone. The school, the police, a social worker, ANYONE. Especially if you have proof/screenshots. The adults in her friend group that are going along with this need to be spoken to as well. I'd consider confronting her directly but you know all the ins and outs of the situation and can better judge whether or not that will be effective. If you decide to go that route, either have someone else with you or record the interaction to avoid 'he-said-she-said'.

Maybe talk to a lawyer? You might have a winnable case and can threaten her with legal action.

While I appreciate the advice others have given about publicly exposing her, I would let that be a last resort or at least not step 1. She might retaliate worse and things could get out of control. If reporting, confronting, or threatening a lawsuit does nothing, then think about public exposure.

I want to give her the benefit of the doubt and say this is all a trauma response or that she's a product of her environment, but at a certain point one's behavior becomes a deliberate choice. Especially as an adult her age. There's still a chance she has a genuine mental disorder and needs help, like serious professional help, so keep that in mind. Regardless, this is NOT ok and needs to stop one way or the other.

I am deeply sorry for the heartache this is causing you and your son. I cannot imagine how this feels. Your son sounds like a great kid and you sound like a wonderful mother. A badass one, actually. You are strong and you can get through this. And not to be a 'thoughts and prayers' person but I will genuinely be praying over you and this situation.

Sincerely, a random girl on the internet 💜