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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Child threatened to kill my child

37 replies

Rustytoasty · 09/07/2024 17:15

So AIBU to think of a child (7yr old) threatens to kill an other child in school that they should have some form of punishment/ exclusion?

OP posts:
hendoop · 09/07/2024 17:21

No they are 7, a child.

A threat which in a legal stand point they do not understand the meaning or impact of.

No physical violence then you are over reacting, I would be wanting the child educated and family spoken to.

Could possibly be a safeguarding concern or more than likely a throw away comment

Desmondo2021 · 09/07/2024 17:23

No, they're 7.

TheShellBeach · 09/07/2024 17:24

Children that age often make empty threats like this.

It's normal.

DaftyLass · 09/07/2024 17:24

A seven year old may also say their dad is going to beat up your dad, doesn't make it real, it's stupid things little children say

TheYearOfSmallThings · 09/07/2024 17:24

Probably not, especially if it was "If you do that one more time I'm going to kill you".

Obviously if they said "I know where you live and I'm going to get my dad's knife and kill you by cutting your throat while you sleep", that would be a different matter.

TheSerenePinkOrca · 09/07/2024 17:25

No, the child is 7. It's highly unlikely that it could be meant in any form of context with intent.

Probably repeating something they've heard at home!

HotelCustody · 09/07/2024 17:25

No, at 7 the source of the anger needs to be investigated whilst reassuring your child they are safe to report any further threats, physical or verbal.

Easipeelerie · 09/07/2024 17:26

Need a bit more info.

bossybloss · 09/07/2024 17:26

It depends what happened in the run up to it. If it was the culmination of bullying then yes something should be done. If it is said by a child over the age of ten I would threaten to inform the police. This happened to me and yes I did threaten … and the bullying stopped.

Tagyoureit · 09/07/2024 17:26

Yes it needs to be dealt with.
Can I suggest you keep a record of this and email the school to say that you are not happy.

Granted there's nothing physical now, but it may esculate.

Trustme, ive been there! Keep a record and email the school every time.

The school has a responsibility to keep your child safe, not protect a bully.

TheShellBeach · 09/07/2024 17:27

What actually happened, OP?

Opinionwontchangeluv · 09/07/2024 17:27

Whats the whole story?

Alalalalalongalalalalalonglonglilong · 09/07/2024 17:28

Its not a real threat, it's just words. It is however a bullying issue so I would expect it to be dealt with and taken as serious as any other typical bullying offence.

Samthedog71717 · 09/07/2024 17:28

I used to tell my sister all the time I was going to kill her. Pretty normal at that age, ot nice but very common.

LaurieFairyCake · 09/07/2024 17:29

No, that's a kid saying they're annoyed and feel angry

Cos they're 7

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/07/2024 17:30

They are a 7 year old, just need to talk to them.

SonicTheHodgeheg · 09/07/2024 17:30

We need more information.

Were they playing a game ? Kids often play games that involve killing a baddie.

Adults say it all the time but wouldn’t actually kill someone. “My husband’s gone to work with the car seat in his car again. I’m going to kill him when he gets home “

Did they say it in anger or did they say it calmly ? i wouldn’t judge a child who said it in retaliation.

There isn’t going to be a suspension for that 😂 If the circumstances are that this child said it menacingly and scared your child then a missed playtime of missed golden time is the most that you can expect.

K0OLA1D · 09/07/2024 17:30

Need the actual account. But at 7, excluding them would be ott

KreedKafer · 09/07/2024 17:30

People, including adults, say this sort of thing as a figure of speech all the time. Things like 'I'll kill you if you pinch that last doughnut, you've already had one' or 'Right, you're dead for that' when someone plays a prank on you or something.

Children, in genuine anger, will also say all sorts of unpleasant things and clearly do not mean them. This is a seven-year-old. They are clearly not making a genuine or credible threat to kill your child and you need to get a grip.

Chypre · 09/07/2024 17:30

Wouldn't it make more sense to get the school to contact said child's parents?

Ozanj · 09/07/2024 17:30

Depends on the area the school can choose to take it seriously (or not). Yes there are schools where kids this young are in gangs and your child may be in real danger — but I’m guessing if that were the case you might have already contacted the police?

MushMonster · 09/07/2024 17:36

Excluded? They need to be taken aside and talked to about how wrong what they have done is and check that they got it.
I would take them off the activity they were doing / fighting about at the time, and ask them to apologise, but not exclude them from school, that is, if they have not hit anyone.

Londonrach1 · 09/07/2024 17:40

Need the full story. Children that age very good at stretching the truth too. Tbh it's very normal for 7 year olds to say that to each other than 2 minutes later are playing happily together. I've a 7 year old and my experience is its usually both children that have said things.

Original poster
Rustytoasty · 09/07/2024 17:40

No it wasn’t in a jokey way. He’s been bullying her in other ways for a while. He said it while holding scissors up to her eye.

OP posts:
Londonrach1 · 09/07/2024 17:41

If holding scissors to eyes please report to school!