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AIBU?

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Original poster

My son was hit on the head by the swimming instructor

313 replies

ali1982 · 03/02/2011 15:50

My son came home from school upset because when he went swimming with the school the swimming instructor whacked him on the head with 2 floaters.My son told me that he was stood by the pool and that the woman was telling the class off and then she whacked him and another child on the head.I have made a complaint to the leisure center about this person and also to the school.But the school seems to be not taking it seriously.I have said that if my son was naughty i dont have a problem with him being told off but the woman should not have hit him on the head.My son is only 8 years old.What should the school do in this situation ?

OP posts:
HecateQueenOfWitches · 03/02/2011 16:15

I agree. Far more likely that it was a playful boink on the noggin than an assault.

Regardless, OP should ask instructor for clarification, if she has any concerns.

Serendippy · 03/02/2011 16:16

TotemPole Thu 03-Feb-11 16:13:26
Mind you, the OP does say floaters. That's poos that don't flush. I'd be most upset if anyone hit me on the head with one of those.

And just like that, the thread disintegrated.

Oblomov · 03/02/2011 16:16

Can't believe OP is questioning what the school should do. Trying to imagine the physical damage done to her ds with hit to head with floater. Nope. No damage. sorry.

yerbladdymavva · 03/02/2011 16:17

so... it's ok to hit other people's children as long as you don't do any damage Hmm

Ladyofthehousespeaking · 03/02/2011 16:17

That doesn't sound very nice at all

no one should be laying a finger on your child full stop. Does your son know the other child? Perhaps you could chat to his mum about it?

I'm really pissed off on your behalf!

JamieLeeCurtis · 03/02/2011 16:19

I can imagine it was done playfully (as mutznutz says), but I'd try and find out a bit more. Was he upset at being told off - did he take something to heart that was meant playfully? Or was he hurt?

Lamorna · 03/02/2011 16:19

I doubt very much if it was anything serious or intended to hurt, more a playful tap. Unless your DC was hurt and upset I would let it go.

mutznutz · 03/02/2011 16:20

Totempole is that what's meant by 'dropping the kids off at the pool?' Wink

momentsintime · 03/02/2011 16:20

Thing is OP, he's 8 not 4. And a somepoint he's going to have to stop being a crybaby/tattle tale and get on with it or he's in for a tough old time when he's older.Dread to thing how hes goin to cope with the other boys when he gets to BIG school.

yerbladdymavva · 03/02/2011 16:21

crybaby Shock

Have I slipped into a time warp or something? It is illegal and unacceptable for a teacher to hit a child, even if she doesn't draw blood or leave a mark fgs

pagwatch · 03/02/2011 16:22

Can I say Ali that suggesting events may not have been quite as your ds described does not mean he is 'lying'

I am saying that 8 year old children have a more pronounced perception filter than adults. A light tap on the head could, in his mind, have become a whack because he was surprised, embarrassed or felt the attention was unjust.

I have tapped my dd on the head with objects, and patted her on the bottom. It has never been harsh or hurt. It is a 'you numpty' gesture.

No one knows what happened. But it may have been harmless and that would not make your ds in any way a fibber

TotemPole · 03/02/2011 16:22

mutznutz.Grin

MrSpoc · 03/02/2011 16:22

Come on people cannot seriously be concerned.

Kids at school now know that one word from them and the teachers are in big trouple. so teachers tip toe and do not give correct discipline for fear of reprisals and children get more un ruley.

JamieLeeCurtis · 03/02/2011 16:22

give over - a light bonk on the head with a float isn't the same as a malicious smack

WimpleOfTheBallet · 03/02/2011 16:23

I also don't see why people are rolling their eyes at this...no...nobody can say what really happened except those who were present,; as someone else said, why SHOULD the boyput up with that?

An adult would not be allowed to do it to another adult...why is it ok to do it to a child?

yerbladdymavva · 03/02/2011 16:23

teachers don't hit kids at school because it is illegal. And rightly so

Renniehorta · 03/02/2011 16:24

That doesn't sound very nice at all

no one should be laying a finger on your child full stop

They did n't it was a piece of polystyrene.

Stop being so precious.

Ladyofthehousespeaking · 03/02/2011 16:24

Yerbladdymavva- I know!!!
Double standards here I think.
I'd be telling them in NO uncertain terms that if they so mch as flick my dc they'd regret it.

JamieLeeCurtis · 03/02/2011 16:24
WimpleOfTheBallet · 03/02/2011 16:25

Pagwtch YOU have tapped YOUR child on the head...lightly, that's up to you..I have done the same to mine....I wouldnt be happy with some random swimming teacher humiliating my chid though. That's not what teaching is about.

FabbyChic · 03/02/2011 16:25

Contact the police, the woman can be done for assault.

MrSpoc · 03/02/2011 16:25

Here Here Renniehorta

If op was really concerned she would have gone straight to the police.

Ladyofthehousespeaking · 03/02/2011 16:26

It's not being precious. It's one thing to tap your own kid but a adult should be touching anyone elses kid with anything!

Ladyofthehousespeaking · 03/02/2011 16:27

Should not* gah!

momentsintime · 03/02/2011 16:28

Well theres a whole class of kids at witnesses so why not ask them if your DC was "assaulted" or not. Presumably the school asked a few of 'em before coming to the conclusion that nothing happened.