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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to complain to school

69 replies

isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:07

DCS are back tuesday so I am wondering how best to approsch this.

DS is in reception and he was talking to his teacher when she told hkm to take a drink of water as he had bad breath!

He has obviously been a bit upset by this as he keeps asking if his breath is smelly and standing away from us.

WIBU to complain? I think its a really rude thing to say to somebody, even if they are only 5 [sad?

OP posts:
Falconi · 18/04/2014 21:11

But does he?

sassysally · 18/04/2014 21:11

I think you are getting the wrong end of the stick, I would interpret this as she was telling him to get a drink because she could tell he was dehydrated because of his breath.

Original poster
isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:13

Not as a rule but I imagine he did that day. I'm not accusing the teacher of msking it up. I do feel it was extremely rude, which is why I am considering whether to complain or not.

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Littlefish · 18/04/2014 21:20

I don't see anything particularly wrong with that. Knowing 4 year old children, he was probably standing very close to her. She told him to get a drink of water as his breath was a bit smelly. Just explain to your ds that everyone's breath gets a bit smelly at times, depending on what they've eaten or drunk. Nothing to get in a stew about and certainly nothing to complain about.

Joolsy · 18/04/2014 21:25

And probably best coming from a teacher than another pupil who might not have been so polite!

WooWooOwl · 18/04/2014 21:26

I don't think it's a rude thing to say to a child, it's teaching them that they need to be aware of these things.

Would you have the same issue with it if your child was told to go and wipe his face after lunch because he had spaghetti sauce on it?

Falconi · 18/04/2014 21:27

Well, I tell this to my Dd when she has a bad breath and I wish more people wold tell her too so she would pay more attention to brush her teeth. I always tell her that no one likes to talk to people with bad breath.

BobPatandIgglePiggle · 18/04/2014 21:32

complain? really? l'm speechless. How do you think people find out they have bad breath? someone tells them!

RedRoom · 18/04/2014 21:33

I have taught lots of pupils with bad breath and body odour and have never told them in case it upset them. Really, I should have. Better to be aware than be told by a horrible kid...

Original poster
isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:33

Gosh, I'm surprised. I wouldn't dream of telling anyone publically and abruptly their breath smelled.

OP posts:
mummy1973 · 18/04/2014 21:34

uabu...is your Ds really upset or maybe just more aware now?

hotcrosshunny · 18/04/2014 21:35

You don't know how abrupt it was really though, do you?

Original poster
isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:35

Are your pupils 5? If she hsd a concern better to talk about it to me surely - poor kid is pretty upset.

OP posts:
ExitPursuedByABear · 18/04/2014 21:35

So you would just leave them with it?

Original poster
isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:37

Are your pupils 5? If she hsd a concern better to talk about it to me surely - poor kid is pretty upset.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 18/04/2014 21:38

Don't think I'd complain unless any other issues with teacher. May not have been said as abruptly as you think.

Original poster
isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:39

I have not noticed my sons breath being smelly, but if if was, at the age of 5, the peopleto bring it up with are his parents, surely? Not in front of his peers?

OP posts:
drnoitall · 18/04/2014 21:39

Id leave well alone.
What would you hope to gain?
I'm not a teacher btw but it does seem teachers are expected to be held accountable for everything they say and do.

MaRyzerection · 18/04/2014 21:41

You are suggesting that she call you in and make a big issue out of it, rather than just quickly say "have a drink, your breath is a bit smelly" just as she might say "wash your hands, they are a bit dirty"?

How long has he been on holidays by the way? If he is still upset about this a couple of weeks later I think you have bigger things to deal with than smelly breath. He needs to learn to take constructive criticism and you need to learn how to teach him.

Falconi · 18/04/2014 21:42

Wouldn't it be weird if she told you that your son has bad breath? What if she has to tell 95% of parents in her classroom?
My daughter is nearly 7 and she doesn't like brushing her teeth much and is very picky with tooth pastes. I tell her that she has a bad breath and tell he to talk away from me when her mouth is smelling. Obviously I tell her to brush her teeth again and again and talk about mouth hygiene a lot.
I would be very glad if a teacher or TA helped me out a little.

Only1scoop · 18/04/2014 21:43

I'm sure if dc had smelly breath every day they would speak to you....in concern with health.
As a one off thing not so much.

itsmeitscathy · 18/04/2014 21:44

I don't think she should have said it, but equally I don't think it's worth complaining over.

Only1scoop · 18/04/2014 21:44

You making an issue of it is going to make him feel worse.

Original poster
isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:52

From the version of events DS has given me, she screwed her face up, and said 'yuck, go snd get some water, your breath is smelling.'

Falconi, at 7 you are responsible for your daughters hygiene. My DS and DD for that matter have good teeth, although DS had a bit of a blocked nose last week so I don't doubt he might have been a bit snuffly but to bring it up in front of othrrs embarrsssed and upset him, as it would me if someone told me I smelled in front of othrrs.

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Original poster
isthisthingon · 18/04/2014 21:54

Sorry for spelling; new tablet.

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