To think the original photo would have been fine?

[embarrassedtwinmum]

Dt1's teacher needed a word today.

Class photo had to be retaken because he was sticking his tongue out on all three shots and it wasn't noticed until the photographer had sent the class away.
The class were brought back in the afternoon, apparently all hot and sticky with messy hair

I'd prefer a pic with one little swine child sticking his tongue out over a photo of a whole class of sweaty children covered in lunch, AIBU?

(Dt1 has been well and truly told off BTW and is in no doubt that school has no sense of humour in these matters.)

[Feelslikea1sttimer]

I think that is quite amusing...

But then again, I am always the one being childish when the photo's come out as there is always one child pulling a face (not always deliberate) which just makes me giggle.

I would much prefer a sticky out tongue than red cheeked sweaty kids!

[beatofthedrum]

Don't get what you're complaining about. Your ds was obviously being cheeky and showing off. This reflects badly on the teacher and the school. Of course it would have to be retaken. Disrespectful and wasting everyone's time.

[ChunkyPickle]

They're never great pictures, and TBH I'd prefer that there was someone showing a bit of character (even misguided character) rather than the mournful shots I've seen..

wouldn't put me off buying it, would mean that I'd remember your son for longer than the other kids in the shot.

[Viviennemary]

No. I can see why people would object to this. A child deliberately drawing attention to himself/herself by making a silly face. I think it was right the class should have been recalled. But on the other hand it probably would have raised a smile in years to come!

[Floggingmolly]

Sticking your tongue out doesn't indicate character, misguided or otherwise. It's the sign of an attention seeking brat.
I for one wouldn't want to "remember your kid for longer than the other kids in the shot". Who would?

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

As beats and Flogging said. Disrespectful, time wasting and spoiling it for all. Everyone else has to smile or look "proper" why should ONE child be allowed to stand out? They'll be mooning next!

[StuffezLaYoni]

What flogging said!

[HarrietSchulenberg]

I wouldn't mind. Who puts the class photo on the wall anyway? It's something for DCs to look back on when they're big, grizzly grown-ups, not something to put on the wall to be admired, surely? I'm not having 25 10 year olds squinting down at me while I'm eating my tea, thank you very much.

We have two from ds2's Y3 and Y4 classes where the same girl is pulling a hideous face. It's really funny as the rest of them are all smiling sweetly. And another one where a camera shy boy is hiding behind the teacher but he has a mop of curly hair that you can see over her shoulder.

When I was in the 6th form our year photo was the only one ever to not be displayed in the school as some boys were mucking about with a rugby ball in the middle and two other boys did the thing where they run from one end to the other so they can appear twice. They were blurry but recognisable at both ends. It was the only school photo that I actually liked and I notice that it's still not on display, despite all the other ones being up for all to view (20-odd years ago but they keep all school year group photos forever. They go back to the early 70s).

[4LittleBubbles]

I wouldn't want a picture of ds' class with messy hair, sweaty, just after break or whatever. And the kids that stick their tongues out are the ones that I probably remember best anyway. Yes it might dent sales but wouldn't a load of messy children too? And it was probably rushed.

[embarrassedtwinmum]

It's not a gripe per se and I'm not excusing his behaviour (although 'attention-seeking brat' is a little harsh IMHO!)


I suppose it doesn't help that my daughters were always well-behaved (= conformist and eager to please) and my boys, well, aren't.

The school is pretty strict and not a week goes by without me getting told about something one of the boys has done. I know I'm biased but they're not bad kids unlike some of the other little sods and they've had the same type of discipline at home as my daughters.

Now, AIBU to want a copy of the tongue-sticking-out picture?

[NeoMaxiZoomDweebie]

Well behaved need not equal conformist you know OP. My older DD is non conformist yet very respectful and hard working.

[embarrassedtwinmum]

In this case I suppose I'm meaning conformist = hates the idea of getting told off.

My dds are both very aware of their own minds but the very idea of being sent to the Headteacher's office would fill them both with dread.

The boys would think, yeah, whatever. Their brains just seem to work differently ( oh God Mumsnet please don't slaughter me for saying that, I'm trying not to gender stereotype them, I really am, they're doing it all by themselves I swear! )

[Sparklysilversequins]

I think it's quite funny, especially after you describe your DC.

However I would not buy it. And I am one of those who DO buy the class photo. It would annoy me every time I looked at it, so in answer to your OP, YABU.

[imademarion]

My DC have class/ school photos on their landing going back ten years. They love looking at the different little faces, who's being cheeky, who looks cute, dozy etc.

Their mates can spend hours up their hooting with laughter too.

The PP who said they're for the kids is right.

And I'd rather have a character than a load of sweaty ones too.

[WuzzleMonkey]

It's the sort of thing I would find funny, but depending on how old your son is it could also be very bad behaviour.

He did it in all three shots? How old is he? If he's 5 it's naughty and a bit cringey but if he's 11 you should be mortified.

I would have thought the photographer is a little at fault here, too, though? How many children are there in the year? Would it have taken him more than 5 mins to check the proofs?

I totally don't get your issue with 'sweaty' though? Sweaty is bad but tongue out isn't?

[ilovexmastime]

I'd find it funny. I like a bit of cheekiness .

[MrsLouisTheroux]

Hmm boys will be boys eh? No not really.
Photo aside, if they are 'hmm whatever' at being told off by the Headteacher, that's not great. I teach loads of lively, cheeky, very funny boys but the ones that make it and aren't just a complete pain in the backside are the ones who understand when they've crossed the line and respect others.

[Pixel]

You should see ds's class photos (SN school). Every year he has a teacher standing behind him with a fixed grin and her hands on his shoulders as he squirms in the chair. And he's not the only one! .

The only one I've ever kept is my sixth form photo. It's one of those long pictures that you have to unroll. One boy is in it at both ends as he legged it across the back of the group while the camera panned across (back row were standing on benches so he didn't show as he was running). Someone else is wearing about 10 ties all at once. I can't remember many of their names but I still like the picture as it makes me smile.

[freddiefrog]

It's the sort of thing I'd fine funny in a photo and I'd prefer to see things like that than rows and rows of children all doing the same thing.

My DD and her friend gave each other bunny ears in the Y5 class photo and it had to be retaken so she had the bollocking of her life.