Something is bothering Ds

[dingit]

End of term rewards trip is day at Chessington. He made a couple of excuses saying he wasn't picked to go.

Today he has brought home letter from school saying he could go, but screwed it up and binned it. I asked him why he didn't want to go, he said its boring. I don't believe this as he would go to Peppa pig world to get out of school for the day.

So what's going on? He was being bullied for the first term. I just don't understand, he won't spill the beans.

Perhaps if he's prone to being bullied, the less structured environment of a trip is worrying him. Teachers and helpers are less able to control the bullies on a trip.

sounds as if the bullying could have started again. is it an expensive trip? is he perhaps worried about the costs, has there been a discussion he has overheard citing money worries?

Nope. It's 10 quid, whatever don't have money problems, I don't think it would worry Ds anyway!! He's started crying, but whatever were interrupted by the phone. We will start again in a minute!

We not whatever, bloody ipad autocorrect!

Hope you get to the bottom of it, must be so worrying for you. Poor lad.

Is he worried because one of the rides broke recently? People were trapped for a long time.

Could it be that none of his friends are going?

If I were you, I would ring the school and ask to speak to someone like his form tutor.

It could be the bus trip. Both my dcs reliably inform me that the bus trips to these places are hell, with out of control kids and the bullies having a field day on the back seat.

It could be something relatively simple like that.

I've emailed his form tutor, they are rubbish at replies though! My dsis is on her way, the DC open up to her more than me

Oh these affairs are so worrysome dingit. I hope you get to the bottom of it.x

Does he feel too grown-up for Peppa Pig? How old is he?

No it's not Peppa Pig...the OP was using that as an example of how keen he usually is to get off school.

DS is also going to Chessington in a couple of weeks and he's said he's a bit worried cos all his 'mates' want to go on the fast scary rides and he doesnt like those.

Could this be it?

Perhaps he is worried about not having anyone to sit with on the coach/go around with?

Oh bless him, how old is he?

Hope your sister gets to the bottom of it for you.

wineoclock

Yes, that's what I'd think. There will be DCs who have already been, and who are into the scary rides. There are probably those prone to taking the piss out of anyone not like them. OPs DS might be worrying about appearing "wussy"

It can be one person saying one thing that can set off the worry.

Or it can be an idea they get into their heads with no provocation at all.

He might well not be being bullied now (I hope not), but is taking steps to protect himself, as hiddenhome says

I wouldn't hassle him about it, actually. I think it's perfectly reasonable not to want to go

... but obviously you want to try and get to the bottom of how he's feeling. What I meant was, I wouldn't apply any pressure for him to go.

Well it looks like it's just a bit of silliness that will blow over by the trip. We've left the permission slip on the side, he's got ten days before option needs to be in. Thanks for all your support.

It could well be next to nothing. When I was at school I turned down a trip to Chessington because it was a house competition thing and none of my friends were going, which genuinely meant I didn't want to go. I'm not into rides anyway, and it was a good day to be at school because a quarter of the students were gone for the day so you knew the lessons weren't going to be about hard work.

It doesn't automatically have to mean bullying.