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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not want my son’s school to say they have “Santa Cam”

151 replies

cattyfranny · 30/09/2022 19:46

My son is in year 2, today he said someone asked what the red light was on the wall (it’s part of the security system or similar) he told me the teacher’s explanation was that it is a “Santa cam” that he has them everywhere to watch them to make sure they’re being good.

We don’t do elf on the shelf etc and don’t ever suggest he is being watched or checked on by Santa or anyone else for that matter.

He asked me if he was being watched all the time so I told him she was just joking with them.

I don’t really think she should have said it but DH thinks I might be being too sensitive about it and it is just a lighthearted joke.

Would you be annoyed about it or am I overthinking it?

OP posts:
GentlemanJay · 30/09/2022 20:30

Oh dear. You are being ridiculous.

GentlemanJay · 30/09/2022 20:30

misskatamari · 30/09/2022 19:51

Overthinking it. God I’m so glad I left teaching. You can’t say bloody anything anymore without some parents getting annoyed about it 🙄

Exactly this.

Milomine · 30/09/2022 20:30

Right to be annoyed but also right not to report etc. I am with a lot of PPs and disagree with making children believe Christmas presents are conditional upon behaviour.

Bad behaviour is an expression of a child’s anger, sadness, fear, etc. By making a child think we will withhold presents for bad behaviour, it gives the impression we will punish negative feelings!

Herejustforthisone · 30/09/2022 20:34

🤣🤣🤣

Germolenequeen · 30/09/2022 20:35

The anxiety and ridiculous expectation around Christmas for children is insane without starting it in bloody September FFS 🙄

Herejustforthisone · 30/09/2022 20:35

He will be watched, every day, for the rest of his life. Such is the modern world. I don’t want to tell you to get a grip, but basically that, but in a less mean way.

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 30/09/2022 20:36

I'd be more pissed off with my child being taught that Father Christmas's name is Santa.

Gagaandgag · 30/09/2022 20:37

Milomine · 30/09/2022 20:30

Right to be annoyed but also right not to report etc. I am with a lot of PPs and disagree with making children believe Christmas presents are conditional upon behaviour.

Bad behaviour is an expression of a child’s anger, sadness, fear, etc. By making a child think we will withhold presents for bad behaviour, it gives the impression we will punish negative feelings!

Agree with this! Glad you told him it’s a joke op and reassured him.

autienotnaughty · 30/09/2022 20:38

I wouldn't be happy either. I don't agree with tell children a stranger will punish them if they dont behave. It's not great of school imo.

Fairislefandango · 30/09/2022 20:38

YANBU. Delegating behaviour management to 'santa' or any other non-teacher, non-parent third party is pathetic. And it's frankly mean and nasty to do this to year 2 children. I've been a teacher for a long time and would not even consider resorting to such shitty tactics.

Much better that they expect to receive everything without having put any effort in it and regardless of their behaviour.

Yes. A gift is a gift, freely given. Good parenting and behaviour management are an everyday, ongoing thing, not just for Christmas!

zaffa · 30/09/2022 20:42

Threelittlelambs · 30/09/2022 19:59

Can you imagine being five and constantly worrying you won’t get any presents because you think you’ve been “naughty”. Kids have enough to worry about without that added horror

Much better that they expect to receive everything without having put any effort in it and regardless of their behaviour.

Can you imagine the sadness at being so well behaved and yet still getting nothing from Santa because your parents can t afford it?
Better we stop buying over the top gifts and pass them off as being from Santa - if you want to reach your child that good equals gifts at least make it clear that it's you rewarding the good behavior

GentlemanJay · 30/09/2022 20:43

Twillow · 30/09/2022 20:06

I'd be annoyed too that my children were being lied to about a non-existent being and that they were being told they were spied upon.

Isn't that what happens in every religious assembly?

Lopilo · 30/09/2022 20:45

Groaning at bad teacher jokes is an essential skill for all children to learn. Just tell your child the teacher was joking and move on.

Outfoxedbyrabbits · 30/09/2022 20:48

I find this sort of thing totally bizarre in 2022. Our son's school did this last year - told the children that Santa was watching them through the red light.

Yes indeedy, in the age of #metoo a teacher told a class full of four and five year old children that a man they didn't know was watching them through a camera - and that they needed to make the man happy with their behaviour.

Then they did classes with the same children on how to stay safe online 🤦

...But remember to do whatever the old bloke on the other end of the camera tells you to so that he'll give you presents!

Bizarre.

Outfoxedbyrabbits · 30/09/2022 20:53

@FOTTFSOFTFOASM

I'd be more pissed off with my child being taught that Father Christmas's name is Santa.

It is, isn't it? Santa Claus = Saint Nicholas?

Fixyourself · 30/09/2022 20:54

It is absolute bullshit and really cruel for the kids. Threats like this really take the joy out of Christmas.
I would just tell my child that it’s not real.
Elf on the shelf is also shit, especially if you post it on social media. Seriously, get a life!

lickenchugget · 30/09/2022 20:56

Overthinking.

Who’d be a teacher?

Tadpoll · 30/09/2022 20:58

LizzieSiddal · 30/09/2022 19:51

I think that’s a terrible thing for a teacher to say. And it’s only Sept, why the heck is Christmas even being mentioned?’

I’d tell my child that it isn’t true and Santa does not “watch” children, ever.

I agree. I’d be cross as I think telling kids this is awful.

Also, why the fuck are they whipping up other people’s children about Christmas when it’s only September?

itsgettingweird · 30/09/2022 20:58

I immediately assumed it was a joke and said light heartedly.

Sherrystrull · 30/09/2022 20:59

Wow.

Each class has 30 children in it. Each set of parents has different views on things like this. The teacher literally cannot please everyone. This is why I never mention Father Christmas.

Perfectlystill · 30/09/2022 21:00

You're being ridiculous

FOTTFSOFTFOASM · 30/09/2022 21:01

Outfoxedbyrabbits · 30/09/2022 20:53

@FOTTFSOFTFOASM

I'd be more pissed off with my child being taught that Father Christmas's name is Santa.

It is, isn't it? Santa Claus = Saint Nicholas?

I in fact grew up with Sankt Niklaus, but the Brit is Father Christmas. IMO, anyway. Santa seems American to me in a Coke advert sort of way.

Tadpoll · 30/09/2022 21:03

GentlemanJay · 30/09/2022 20:30

Exactly this.

Show quote history

No, not this.

Teachers are in loco parentis during school hours and this is a terrible thing to tell kids. These are our children - take it seriously.

TheSmallAssassin · 30/09/2022 21:03

YANBU, I think the whole concept was of the Santa Cam is horrible, I can see why it bothers you. Hope your son was reassured by your telling him it was a (crap) joke.

decafsoyaflatwhite · 30/09/2022 21:04

Your son’s teacher said it was Santa Cam, and then when questioned she clarified that this was a joke and it wasn’t actually a Santa Cam.

If I’ve understood correctly it’s a complete non issue?

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