If you were bullied and hated school did it change how you approached your DC's education?

[Padderbadger]

I was badly bullied at school in the 90s and never really had any good friends. My parents did try to talk to the school but nothing got resolved. I really hated school and would often try to refuse to go. I also had a few bad experiences with teachers, for example I forgot my PE kit one day and the teacher made me wear a skirt from the store cupboard (fair enough) - it was a wrap around hockey skirt but the fastenings had been removed so I kept having to hold it together or it would just fall down in front of everyone which was humiliating as a 14 year old girl in a mixed sex school. Or a French teacher who ridiculed a mistake I made in front of the whole class so I just stopped trying to answer anything. I know I'm a pretty sensitive person but as soon as I got to college and work I felt a huge sense of relief and everything changed for the better. Now I have my own DS (who is still little) I really don't want him to hate school. I know he might not but I wondered if anyone's negative school experience was a factor in how you educate your kids, what kind of schools you send them to etc?

I moved schools a lot in primary and was bullied throughout high school for various reasons. I’m absolutely on it when it comes to my kids schooling, I’ll give the kids space to sort out issues with peers but will step in when they tell me it’s too much for them. Any problems with teachers I’ll get involved immediately - kids can’t be expected to try and cope with difficult adults. I have a good relationship with the school not least because they know I expect issues to be resolved quickly so don’t try to fob me off.

I will if need be keep my kids home until whatever it is has been resolved and an ongoing plan put in place. School shouldn’t be something to be endured.

I was bullied at school. I hated it. Lasting issues for self esteem etc.

I was determined that my children would not be bullied or become bullies. As far as I am aware, so far no bullying issues.

We moved house to be close to our preferred schools. No guarantee of no bullying, but has a culture of hard work.

I have tried to instill confidence and resilience. When things do happen, to stand their ground. Encouraged friendship groups.

I have also enabled them to fit in as much as they want. So I was careful in coat and trainer brands for example. Remember the kid in About A Boy? Brilliant to be individual. But can be hard at school unless you are really strong.