scared for my son

[Brycensmommy]

My son, Brycen, is in 2nd grade. He told me yesterday that there is a kid in his class that keeps drawing pictures of him with knives stuck in his eyes and guns pointed at his head, even one with his head cut off. Brycen says he hasn't done anything to this kid and doesn't know why he hates him so much. I talked to his teacher today and she had the other little boy come out to talk about it. The other boy admitted that he's been drawing these pictures and Brycen's never done anything to him. Their teacher told him if he draws anymore pictures his mom was going to be called. I'm just worried for my son. I think that kid needs some psychological help!

[Jackie_Blu]

I don't blame you for being worried. Sounds like a very troubled child. IMO the teacher should have a discussion with his parents, showing them the pictures.

[pepperpot]

I don't blame you for being worried. Sounds like a very troubled child. IMO the teacher should have a discussion with his parents, showing them the pictures.

:agree that child most definitely needs help.....quickly.....

[earnhardt1]

omg go to someone higher for your childs sake

[freeby4me]

Yup, now is the time to go to the principle and make it known that this is totally un-acceptable.

[atprm]

I would also go to someone higher than the teacher.

The principal, the adminstrator or even the school board...what if this escalates? Clearly the boy making the drawings knows that "the teacher is onto him" and will now either 1) escalate the paper threats to physical threats or 2) hide his hatred better so as to not get caught again.

Most schools now have a zero tolerance policy -- this is part of that zero tolerance.

I would HIGHLY suggest getting someone other than the teacher involved -- this way it is all documented as well.

[ladybugva]

yikes, I can see why that would concern you. That should have been taken to the principal and his parents the first time.
I agree w/ the above talk to the principal of the school also.

[YankeeMary]

2nd grade??? How does a 2nd grader know to draw these things? Like what kind of shows? Doesn't one have to learn this stuff. I agree he has issues but I wonder if it would even do any good to call the parents? Obviously they are watching something and he is exposed to it somewhere. I agree with the other ladies, go higher up.

[magenta]

Call his parents the next time? If my kid was drawing these kind of pictures I would want to know "this" time!

I too would be concerned for my son. Go over the teachers head. My son was having trouble with a boy in 1st grade, nothing was done til I got to the superintendent of the school.

[Jenefer3]

Definitely contact the principal and if they don't do anything about it, go to the school board. I'm not saying they should expel the boy, but he does need to have someone talk to him, his parents need to be notified (whether or not they care is another matter), and it needs to be documented.

I can't believe that she wouldn't do more than what she did do. One time the teacher was talking about something, I'm still not sure what, and my son said he liked swirlies. The teacher immediately sent my son to the principal's office and then they called me to tell me what my son said.

Of course, every school and teacher is different. Maybe she's one of those people who think that a child that age could never do anything so horrible?

[earnhardt1]

ya know i reread this and next time what if next time isnt a drawing but something worse....i would go asap to the school and DEMAND something done now

[Freebeemom]

Call his parents the next time? If my kid was drawing these kind of pictures I would want to know "this" time!

I too would be concerned for my son. Go over the teachers head. My son was having trouble with a boy in 1st grade, nothing was done til I got to the superintendent of the school.

DO NOT call the parents of this child. GO TO THE PRINCIPAL IMMEDIATELY!

[PrincessArky]

:agree that child most definitely needs help.....quickly.....

ditto

[Shann]

2nd grade??? How does a 2nd grader know to draw these things? Like what kind of shows? Doesn't one have to learn this stuff. I agree he has issues but I wonder if it would even do any good to call the parents? Obviously they are watching something and he is exposed to it somewhere. I agree with the other ladies, go higher up.

my thoughts exactly. sounds like the parents either don't care what he watches or allows him to watch shows/movies or play games with such violence.

[lameduch27]

Man O man, JMO, but, that kid needs dealt with NOW...kids tend to draw whats in their mind, I wouldnt want to wait til he decides that the drawing isn't enough, and is boring him, if ya know what I mean

[iluvmybaby]

You need to talk to principal, and if he or she doesn't do n e thing, go to the school board. This child is mentally ill and needs some serious help

[kelblend]

The teachers at my son's school would have went to the principal with it immediately and the parents would have been contacted.
I would sure want to know if my kid were doing it.

[ma4angels]

I would go to the principal and ask the teacher why she is waiting to tell the parents. This child has issues with this kind of behavior. I sure hope the childs parents recognize that their kid needs help, instead of ignoring it. You do what you have to do to protect your child. If the principle tries to sweep it under the rug go to your school board office and talk to your superintendent. I wouldn't wait especially since the teacher has talked to the boy about the pictures and now he thinks he is in trouble it might make him get worse.

[LitWtch]

I agree that this sort of issue should be addressed, however, there is a problem with it all - does anyone have one of the pictures in question? If not, nothing can be done aside from the fact of the teacher monitoring him and being on the look out for just such a picture - even if that means going into his desk and backpack and finding one. AFTER one is found, then the teacher has the responsibility to go to the administrator and have th issue addressed appropriately.

You did the right thing by alerting the teacher, but now you must trust in her/him to do their job. The child in question has issues - but what he is drawing does not necessarily mean that he will do harm to YOUR child. Usually at that age it is because he sees something in your child that he would like to be, and cannot seem to reach. Your child probably gets good grades, has you involved in the school, and gets praise from the teacher for doing well - and this child probably gets ignored at home, and gets in trouble at school. He is reaching out for help - that does not mean YOUR child is in danger. The kid will end up in counseling from this, and that is what he needs.

I have a child like this in third grade. He drew the same types of pictures with his close friends in it. Were the parents concerned(of the friends) - you bet! When we were alerted, we started looking over his shoulder and sure enough, found what we needed to take to the admin and parents, then to the counselor. He is a GREAT kid is the matter of months now after getting the RIGHT diagnosis and proper treatment - and no more pictures. He is channeling his energy and frustration appropriately.

[Army-Mom]

Yes I would also be worried ..

[myspirit]

Do something, NOW!

[Brycensmommy]

I agree with all of you. The only problem is my son threw away the pictures as soon as he saw them so we don't have proof. I was leaning towards waiting to talk to the teacher until the kid drew another one and then showing it to her so she could see how disturbing it is but I felt like I needed to have the situation taken care of right away. I have never seen any of the pictures and my son didn't tell me right away. I guess it's been going on since they came back from christmas break and he just told last weekend. He said he's not scared of this boy right now he's scared when he grows up that this kid will find him and hurt him. The other thing that scares me is this kids brother is in middle school, it's right next to the elementary school, and he leaves the middle school and comes over to find his little brother during their recess. My son is very tall and not super skinny and this other boy is a few inches shorter and alot thinner. I don't know if he would tell his brother and his brother would come to the school and beat up my son. I don't know if any of this makes sense but I don't know what else to do since I don't have any of the pictures. So far this other kid hasn't drawn or even talked to my son except to tell him that their teacher scared him. I think some parent's are in denial when it comes to their 'precious' kids so I don't know if they'd believe it anyway without proof.

[RNB16]

I wouldn't wait for the Child to draw another picture I'd contact the teacher and principal right away so they could be on the look out for any aggressive behavior to your son. My 7 yr old came home recently with bruises from his hip to his ankle from some child on the playground before school. Eventhough he didn't know this childs name you better believe that I was at the school in the morning making them aware of this. I hope you get something done about this before your son comes home scared and bruised like mine did. Good Luck to you.

[queenangie]

Did you contact the principal? That's what I recommend also.

[Debbie]

I agree with all of you,I would go to the principal,and if he has any sense,he should do something,this child apparently has a rough environment to live in,
You could even contact social services and report this,and they can investigate the home.

Keep us posted