Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to let my son skip this at school?

269 replies

Redcliff · 28/03/2017 23:31

My DS is 10 and has been doing WW2 at school. Tomorrow the class are watching "boy in the striped pyjamas". We had to sign a consent slip last week and were happy to do so. Tonight he has been in tears saying he doesn't want to see it.

My DP has made some good points about how important a film it is but I hate to think of him so upset. AIBU to tell his teacher that he can sit it out?

OP posts:
grannytomine · 30/03/2017 15:29

OopsDearyMe, I think people are surprised that schools would be encouraging children to engage with something that is so poor. My kids found Anne Frank thought provoking and in year 6 they went on a school holiday and visited the Anne Frank house. I can't imagine what they would have gained watching TBITSP. I don't want to hide what happened, personally I think 10 and 11 year olds are able to deal with learning about the holocaust but I don't think poor materials should be used. Shame on the schools who use this book/film.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 30/03/2017 15:49

brasty are you talking to me?

I didn't say I hadn't heard of the holocaust until I was 15. I said I didn't learn about it at school until then. Hmm

OVienna · 30/03/2017 17:26

OopsDearyMe Thu 30-Mar-17 13:36:56

But again Anne Frank does not make you think, at least the boy in the striped pyjamers, makes you think and ask questions.

Shock

I've heard it all now.

Katherine2626 · 30/03/2017 17:35

My DD saw a film at school about a concentration camp and it shocked and upset her so much that it haunted her for months. These are terrible events that must never be forgotten, but I'm not sure that young children need to know about them at ten - it is chilling enough for adults to watch but a young child...I do feel ten is too young.

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 30/03/2017 17:37

Jesus, we have a life of sadness and pain ahead of us. I would not let them watch either to be honest

Graphista · 30/03/2017 17:39

There are many adults that still don't know the reality of what happened/happens when genocide occurs.

I worked with a Jewish man who had extensive experience (both professional and personal) of Palestine/Israel - he was quite vocal on what he considered the shockingly pro-Israeli slant of news media in uk/USA. Said it made him ashamed to be Jewish at times.

Lovingit81 · 30/03/2017 17:39

Whoever asked 'why doesn't he want to watch it' is clearly not a parent. If a child doesn't want to watch it they shouldn't be forced to. Some children are really sensitive and get upset at the slightest thing. Skip school and have a secret, duvet day full of cuddles and ice cream. Life is too short. Appreciate loads of ppl are gonna say I'm a shit parent but I don't give a toss. Memories are made this this way. As long as he realises he can't do it for everything. X

Summer888 · 30/03/2017 17:40

It is very sad. I have watched it. Don't make him if he doesn't want to. Children should be allowed to stay happy and carefree at this age.

bonbonours · 30/03/2017 17:41

I really liked the book and the film, however I definitely wouldn't let my 6 year old watch it and I think it is totally inappropriate for viewing in primary school.

There are other books which teach about the holocaust without being so graphic. To name a few my 10 year has read, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, The Mozart question, Wonder (the Julian chapter).

Italiangreyhound · 30/03/2017 17:45

Lovingit81 " If a child doesn't want to watch it they shouldn't be forced to. Some children are really sensitive and get upset at the slightest thing. Skip school and have a secret, duvet day full of cuddles and ice cream. Life is too short."

Excellent advice

Playdoughinthecarpet · 30/03/2017 17:50

That film haunted me for weeks, literally saw the boy when I closed my eyes at night. Dn 8 watches some pretty gruesome stuff but even he was traumatised by this film. Don't make him watch it, am sure there is a book he can look at instead.

NoobThebrave · 30/03/2017 17:59

I said no to two films a school and was made to feel I was an over protective parent. You know your child so be brave and help them decide. We talked about the subjects in a factual way and discussed the personal issues (evil people, horror etc) without the need for an emotive film. Ds was made to watch some short film about a fair/pier and the one with button eyes (coraline??) In years 2 and 3, both gave him nightmares for months Hmm

AyeAyeFishyPie · 30/03/2017 18:01

Dreadful film - IMO it sends an awful message so in that basis alone I wouldn't let my children watch it. Also agree that if he is upset it's not worth it - Holocaust education needs to be age appropriate.

Lovelymess · 30/03/2017 18:02

Personally I think 10 is very young to watch that film. He's already upset at just the thought of watching it so YANBU to ask him to sit out x

originalbiglymavis · 30/03/2017 18:05

I read the book and it made me cry.

However, I knew about the holuchaust when I was a lot smaller (my grandfather was alive so I couldn't have been much older than 5) and we used to watch the World at War on Saturday afternoons. Maybe it was because we had a direct link to the war generation (grandfather was in a lot of the shitty bits of the war and was there when a camp was opened). He didn't discuss it with us kids but we were all nosey buggers and would earwig a lot! Plus he vomited really badly once when my grandmother burned some meat fat and we knew why.

Graphista · 30/03/2017 18:05

Coralline is pretty creepy - my dd is now very into 'proper' horror films yet still won't watch that again!

TheMysteriousJackelope · 30/03/2017 18:08

Children vary enormously in how well they can cope with films. If you think your DS is going to be too upset to process the film's message then there is no point in him watching it.

sazzleevans · 30/03/2017 18:11

I have told my in full about WW2 and they are 6 and 7 but i wouldn't consider that film until at least 12/13.

ComputerUserNumptyTwit · 30/03/2017 18:14

I'm just relieved to hear I'm not alone in finding the book/film utterly shit.

I felt the same about the Morpurgo books that were (and I guess still are) all the rage when ds was in Y6. Dirgey, mawkish toss. I think I'm in a minority of one on that though.

Rowenag · 30/03/2017 18:15

I wouldn't watch that film because I would find it too upsetting and I am 43! He is too young and I think it is unnecessary. They can teach the facts without having to watch such a harrowing and emotive film. I just feel sorry for the rest of the class :(

RufusTheRenegadeReindeer · 30/03/2017 18:21

graphista

Ds1 has watched loads of horror movies, texas chainsaw massacre etc

He refuses to rewatch Monster House

flowergrrl77 · 30/03/2017 18:24

I agree with italiangreyhound, was the the teachers plan or your child's? Sure there are things in life we all have to do. But it seems to me, that especially as you had to give special permission, this was not one of them!

If this were me with my 12 year old son, I'd have withdrawn my permission if my child wasn't listened to regards not wanting to see a film. There are other ways he can learn about history.

TCsMummy · 30/03/2017 18:25

If my Y6 son brought home a permission slip for that film I would refuse. A 12 certificate is for a reason - parents of under 12s are supposed to make an informed decision about whether the film is right for their child. It wouldn't be for mine at the moment - it would upset him badly.

strawberrychunk · 30/03/2017 18:29

follow your instincts honey, if you are concerned then it's for a reason x

CoolCarrie · 30/03/2017 18:30

I am David is set in an unnamed communist country, I read it at primary school and it has stuck with me ever since.
BITSP is not really suitable for under 12 imo

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.