Am I too protective o f the kids I teach - although I did give one a fruit shoot!

[twinsetandpearls]

I ahve just come back from the cinema and I saw a boy from my form group who is very shy, quiet, not very bright having a tough time at home and only 11 sat on his own in the cinema. It was half six when the film started. Our cinema is notin a very nice part of town and I woudl worry about an eleven year old boy wondering about there at night. He lives the other side of town.

I went over to see if he was ok and he said he was but seemed a bit upset. He had no popcorn or drink and I know money is tight so I bought him a treat bag with some popcorn, sweets and a dreaded fruitshoot.He seemed happier, I showed him where I was sat and said that although he probably did not want to sit with his teacher he was more than welcome to join us.

As the film ended I looked for him to see if he needed a lift home but he had dashed off.

Dp says I was daft to worry about him as he was old enough to be out on his own but I do think it is a little odd for an 11 year old to be in the cinema on his own. Dp also said that I should not be allowing my job to affect my weekend family time (although it was dp that insisted that we got him the treats!!) and said he was not happy about giving the lad a lift home.

But I am very worried about this boy being out on his own on a Saturday evening, am I being over protective.

flippin heck that fell out of active converstaions quick!

Not too protective - just keeping a caring eye out.

thatis whatI thought,it as the offer of a lift home that dp didn't like.

He said that if we had an accident and that he felt uneasy letting a boy who I knew to be vulnerable and troubled into our carat night.

Don't think you ever stop wondering about the vulnerable ones. Nice of you to buy him things though. Maybe he was getting lift home ? Also could be his parents were around but didn't want to see that particular film. Think agree with dp on the not giving lift home though as could be misinterpreted ! You sound like a thoughtful teacher.

maybe his parents were meeting him afterwards?

That was sweet of you, I also work in a sch and constantly worry about children esp the vunerables, wish there were more people like you! this world would be a better place!

Perhaps his parents were collecting him and the film was awful so I can understand them not wanting to go in, dd is 5 so we had no choice.

He might have got a lift and of course I would have checked not just bundled him in the car, I was just worried about him haging around in a very dogdgy part of town as he is a very young naive and suggestable 11 year old going through a difficult time at home.

Dp has just said that he saw the boy leave the screening about 2/3 of the way through the film which worries me a bit but then maybe he agreed that the film was crap and phoned some one to pick him up.

out of interest what was the film?

11 is a funny age but you seem the sort of person to keep an eye on him.. it's hard i know

Mr Bean - it is dull and shit don;t waste your money!

I will talk to him on Monday and check everything is OK, will also check with his welfare officer.

oh glad I asked as my 2 young DDs love Mr Bean and wanted to see it!

Good idea, and good luck

DD is five and said it was OK but she was asleep for the last 20 minutes! It seems to go on forever.

not too protective. Just concerned and you can't switch that off. I would be too. I hope he's ok and that was lovely to get him those things.

I thought I was going to get hell on here for feeding the kid junk. As I was buying his stuff I was dreading the creation of yet another fruit shhot thread!