Name Calling

[Hey40]

Hey, I was wondering if I can get some advice as my DS is getting called names at school and I’m not sure how to handle it.

A few times when I’ve been to pick him up I’ve heard kids calling him Piggy. I didn’t really think too much of it at first as they’re only in reception and he’s not overweight. He didn’t really seem that bothered, and if anything found it funny.

However, today we went to a parents evening and one of the girls, who seems to be the instigator, started chanting it at him. Him and this girl disappeared off together and my husband went to get him. As they were walking back I heard the girl saying to her other friend there goes Piggy and his piggy daddy.

My DH mentioned it to the teacher and she seemed mystified, but told DS to tell her if the kids say anything to him.

I’m worried though that by drawing attention to it DS is going to become a victim and it’s going to erode his self confidence. My DH on the other hand thinks we should re-enforce telling a teacher to nip it in the bud. I feel very conflicted and was wondering if anyone had any similar experiences and what happened?

Definitely tell the teacher and get it nipped in the bud. It’s an unpleasant name and he’ll realise that at some point. If the child doing the name calling is also in Reception, they may not even realise how mean it is.

Hiya. I have a 10 year old and 7 year old. I have had to ring up mainly about my daughter on the odd occasion to get things nipped in the bud. They are 4 so very little and there's innocence behind it to an extent. But they also need to be guided by the teachers to grow up into respectful humans. So yes early intervention. Ask your son how it makes him feel etc.it could be something innocent like pepper pig reference. Or they could be being silly.

Thanks for your messages. I think we’re going to talk to him tonight about it and then let him know he needs to talk to us and the teacher if they keep name calling.

I think initially it was innocent, as it rhymed, but when we were there for parents evening, it was said to taunt him, which isn’t ok.

DH hadn’t told me this before, but he said he experienced something similar, but when he was a bit older. He told his parents and his teachers and it stopped, so it obviously does work.