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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Teacher hasn't mentioned bullying

34 replies

ConfusedMummy12 · 02/11/2024 17:24

Son started school 6 weeks ago and has really struggled with his emotions...at first anxiety about the separation from home and then as that passed he's been lashing out at teachers and kids.
Was a surprise to me as he's normally not like that (I mean he has his moments of high emotions but they dissipate quickly with a listening ear to help him and prior to school starting he's never hit us).

Teacher has kept me at the gate at least twice a week with reports of his behaviour and we've had a couple of long meetings about what we can do at home to make his life easier at school. So we've been working on emotions and playdates over half term.

On playdates I observed how often he was being teased by certain kids re not being able to do something they could do (he has a disability affecting his fine motor skills). Most of the time we parents were in earshot and nipped it in the bud, the one time we were a bit slower to intervene it escalated very quickly to them shouting to him "baby" and "lazy" over and over, he kept saying to stop as it wasn't kind, and eventually hit. We then got there and spoke to all the kids, about not hitting but also not calling each other names.

Thing is, give these kids were doing it every time we met over half term, I'm 99.9% sure they say stuff to him at school too.

AIBU to be concerned that this hasn't been mentioned (probably gone unnoticed?) by any of his teachers. Like they're only seeing, or sharing, one side of the story?
For context it's a class of 9 kids, there is usually one adult but quite often two, and the room is quite small, so I'd be surprised if I got the "we can't listen to conversations between them all the time" as an answer.

Like, okay he shouldn't hit, and we've been working on that, but given he's never hit before school started, to me it shows he's getting really disregulated over something and there isn't someone around to help him through...am I expecting too much?

OP posts:
ConfusedMummy12 · 02/11/2024 19:26

Starlightstarbright3 · 02/11/2024 19:10

I would go in as pp poster said ..I would go in school be factual, I would also mention the names .. They can’t you can ..

It’s very early days - things can turn around quickly but I also think that teaching him to tell an adult is important isn’t it

I pray that things do turn around quickly, this gives me hope, thank you

OP posts:
nevergonnaguess · 02/11/2024 19:40

I'm going to go out in a limb to say that if the teacher can't cope with 9 reception children, then she is either a brand new teacher who is learning, or if experienced, should not be teaching.

underthelights · 02/11/2024 19:58

Have a talk with the teachers for sure because it does sound like your child needs a teacher to help with social interactions.

OP does your child have the language to tell others about his disability? It sounds like they all need some support/modelling with word/phrases. This should be dealt with in the moment it is happening with redirection of positive language.

FumingTRex · 02/11/2024 19:58

Children absolutely can bully at this age. My DS was severely bullied by a child who has gone on to have really concerning behaviour issues. Perhaps if it had been taken more seriously when he was 5 things would be different now.

Stillnormal · 02/11/2024 20:27

YANBU I’m really sorry this is happening to your DS. It sounds like - as I think you (OP) said - the kids need to learn about this together - it’s not ok. It’s the whole scenario that needs redirecting not just the outcome - of course your DS is hitting them if he’s asked them to stop and they haven’t done and nobody’s stepping in.

surreygirl1987 · 02/11/2024 20:32

saraclara · 02/11/2024 18:02

Whether or not it fits the definition of bullying that you've been given, the effect on the victim is the same.
It doesn't get to be minimised because those children are still learning.
I'm also a teacher, and I'd be concerned that you aren't demonstrating any empathy with OP 's child, while defending those who are making him miserable.

Fully agree. Just because it isn't age-inappropriate behaviour, that doesn't make it acceptable. Your poor son. This needs to get sorted out. Definitely speak to the teacher.

mm81736 · 02/11/2024 21:12

nevergonnaguess · 02/11/2024 19:40

I'm going to go out in a limb to say that if the teacher can't cope with 9 reception children, then she is either a brand new teacher who is learning, or if experienced, should not be teaching.

That very much depends on who the 9 children are!!

5Bagatelles · 02/03/2025 07:44

Wondering if this got resolved? If so any advice on how to deal with a similar situation OP?

Sherrystrull · 02/03/2025 08:01

nevergonnaguess · 02/11/2024 19:40

I'm going to go out in a limb to say that if the teacher can't cope with 9 reception children, then she is either a brand new teacher who is learning, or if experienced, should not be teaching.

There's no evidence to suggest the teacher can't cope. What an awful comment.

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