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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Okay, Yr 1 is this the norm???

48 replies

bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:05

Don't usually post on AIBU but wanted a little feedback on this. My DS2 age 5 came home today with a piece of 'art' he had made, it was a sharp wooden skewer with 7 cocktail sticks stuck to it with blu tac - I have no idea what it is supposed to be but it just screamed 'an accident waiting to happen' to me!! If we have cocktail sticks at home I always take them off him as they are not safe so why would school send him home with them??

I love the school he is at and I am definitly not over protective at all but this just seemed really bizarre to me - what if one of his classmates took his bookbag into his bedroom without the parent knowing these sharp things were in them??

Should I speak to head tomorrow? (I have a good relationship with them) or am I missing something and being UR?

OP posts:
southeastastra · 14/10/2009 21:07

is he doing space? maybe he made a little sputnik did he say what is was?

does seem slighly strange and not a great craft material choice, i'd talk to them

CybilLiberty · 14/10/2009 21:09

I think you are being a little over protective and I certainly wouldn't raise it with the head. If you must point out the dangers to anyone , make it the class teacher.

tinkerbell1982 · 14/10/2009 21:09

omg that is dangerous we dont let our 5 yr old have cocktail sticks and if he came home with them from school i would have something to say to them.

why not use lollipop sticks or pipe cleaners would seem the safest option.

Hulababy · 14/10/2009 21:10

I would speak to class teacher rather than the Head.

Original poster
bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:15

I just asked him more about it (see how crap I am - he's still awake! - this child never sleeps) I asked if they were doing a project and he said no there was just a table full of sticky blue and sharps and they could make whatever they liked - I asked if anyone was hurt and he showed me a scratch on his hand and said 'yes, Kristopher (his best friend) did this to me' lol

The only reason I said head was because I don't know the class teacher, but get on well with head and deputy, not because I would want to cause a fuss - I guess I should chat with class teacher first. I took it off DS straight away - anything pointy at the moment gets turned into a lightsabre!

OP posts:
Elk · 14/10/2009 21:16

dd1 made a hedgehog out of clay and cocktail sticks in year 1. She was very proud of it and you do have to start trusting them to be careful with stuff at some point.

DailyMailNameChanger · 14/10/2009 21:21

IMO YABU, I wouldn't bat an eyelid if dd at 5yo came home with something like that! I would honestly say it is over-protective, if dd has cocktail sticks in food or something she knows to put them down when she is done and treats then the same way that she would anything else sharp like scissors or a knife.

Original poster
bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:25

Cool - it's great to get some perspective on things, I think it's just that I put my hand in his book bag and was confronted with it - could have had my eye out!!

OP posts:
Original poster
bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:25

Cool - it's great to get some perspective on things, I think it's just that I put my hand in his book bag and was confronted with it - could have had my eye out!!

OP posts:
Original poster
bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:26

oops - computer went funny!

OP posts:
CybilLiberty · 14/10/2009 21:29

tinkerbell children will never learn about risk if they are not allowed to experience it.

ChunkyMonkeysMum · 14/10/2009 21:30

I don't think YABU. I wouldn't be happy for DS1 (also Y1) to come home with sharp objects. I would phone the school & let the secretary know that I don't think it's appropriate, or have a word with the class teacher.
FWIW I don't think you are being over-protective.

Original poster
bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:33

Maybe it's a boy thing! lol - I just know my DS and his older brother would have a field day if they got hold of them and inevitably one of them would get hurt!

OP posts:
nellie12 · 14/10/2009 21:37

this thread has just reminded me of being 7 and being told to play in the workshop the class had set up.

The workshop was in a corner of the classroom. The teacher was in another part of the classroom, not watching us, and there were 3 of us playing at sawing up wood and hammering nails.

So from that experience you are being wayover protective.

tinkerbell1982 · 14/10/2009 21:40

there is learning about risk and then there is being stupid and letting 5 year old's play with cocktail sticks like this was stupid.

as bubblerock said her son's friend scratched him it could of been worse could of been a child's eye!

nellie12 · 14/10/2009 21:41

Should have pointed out they were real saws, hammers, nails and wood not the plastic versions.

seeker · 14/10/2009 21:42

Oh for crying out loud - cocktail sticks aren't dangerous!

seeker · 14/10/2009 21:42

And if they are, then you have to ban pencils as well.

Original poster
bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:43

I think I will speak to the teacher in the morning, I'm sure it was safely supervised within school but it would have been nice to know he was bringing it home - I'll broach it in a nice way though, I'm not sure whether I'm being over protective or not - you guys aren't exactly helping here!! lol

OP posts:
tinkerbell1982 · 14/10/2009 21:47

i got stabbed/poked whatever u wanna call it with one when i was younger priced though my skin and drew blood (lovely cousin on xmas day)

i am not saying ban them i am saying 5 year olds should not play with them.

Original poster
bubblerock · 14/10/2009 21:50

It is kind of asking for trouble isn't it? Although DS did bring a note home yesterday asking for yoghurt cartons, toilet rolls etc.. so maybe they are struggling for materials!

OP posts:
tinkerbell1982 · 14/10/2009 21:53

what i have said is my view on it (as obviously what happened to me) i wouldn't be happy with my son bringing home cocktail sticks craft pieces from school.

they could be save up your lolly sticks and ask on freecycle for them too wash them all and ask the teacher to swap the cocktail sticks with you lol

merryberry · 14/10/2009 21:56

2.5 to 4 year olds are tuaght how to use this kind of thing safely at ds1s pre-school. my 19 month old ds2 feeds himself olives with cocktail sticks. even he has the sense of care needed.

am i really going to post this? infant eating olives with cocktail sticks?

insert its grim up north london emoticon

DailyMailNameChanger · 14/10/2009 21:57

I agree with seeker, they are no more dangerous than a sharp pencil really. His friend could have scratched him with a pencil, this is something that happens quite regularly IME!

Tinkerbell, pierced your skin and drew blood? well that covers a multitude of sins from a bit of a pencil puncture to being stabbed with a double edged knife!

Just a thought... is this your PFB? Tinkerbell, your first ds is young too yes? I wonder if it is just that those of us with more/older dc have learnt a more erm... relaxed... attitude to small children and risk? (not a dig btw, an observation that the first child tends to be protected whilst the subsequent children learn to fend for themselves progressivly more and more... )

seeker · 14/10/2009 21:58

When my dd was little, she was using a sharp knife to help my brother (an experienced father of 4) cook. I was hovering, nervously.
"Wnat are you worried about?" asked db
"She could cut herself" I gibbered
"So?" said db "I've got plenty of plasters"

I have tried to think like that ever since!