Okay, so the second graders at my boys' school spend an hour or so each Friday with a 5th grader. This is called special reader time or something like that. Anyway, there is a 5th grade girl who seems to be really into horror movies, and tells the stories to the children. Lately #1, who rarely cries (didn't even cry when he broke his arm) and has always been pretty much fearless, has been having trouble sleeping. In fact, the other night, he was crying hysterically and shaking to the point that I lay down with him until he could fall back asleep. He told me he was afraid of dolls turning into murderers, someone coming into his room and giving him poisonous kisses to kill him, etc.
I have spent time with him discussing the falsities of these stories, showing him our security system, locked windows, etc., and explaining to him that these movies are intended to scare and there are some people who enjoy that. Last night he slept through the night and in the morning declared that he was still alive, etc.
I told him next time this girl wants to tell him a story, put his hand up and say he didn't want to hear any more scary stories, and tell her to just read the book given. We talked about whether his teacher should be aware of it, he said he thinks he should tell the teacher but would prefer if I told her. He did not know the girl's name. Last night we went through his yearbook and he identified the girl so now I have a name.
What say you? Should I let the teacher know what this girl is doing? Should I leave it alone and see if #1 figures out a way to handle her on his own?
I am sure that was upsetting to him, but that was a good teachable moment about reality versus fiction/fantasy. My son actually had nightmares over the snake in JungleBook! And, honestly, kids see a lot of horror on TV and at friend's homes, etc. So, this was good education opportunity and learning how to deal with fears, etc.
I think you should contact the teacher and just inform her that he is having some issues with nightmares over horror stories and that the older girl may have been reading him some material he isn't ready for and could you please monitor that situation. That's all.
Definitely let the teacher know. 5th graders love the scary stuff and really don't have much of a sense of boundaries w/r to the younger kids. I doubt she is doing it maliciously, she just needs to learn what is age appropriate.
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
If it's bothering him, then it needs to be addressed.
My kids learned from Scooby-Doo that all the monsters were fake by preschool and was laughing at Chucky by 2nd grade.
But I understand each child is different.
You should address it with the teacher.
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If it's bothering him, then it needs to be addressed.
My kids learned from Scooby-Doo that all the monsters were fake by preschool and was laughing at Chucky by 2nd grade.
But I understand each child is different.
You should address it with the teacher.
You let your kids watch Chucky in 2nd grade?!
Yeah.
We also did haunted houses.
A lot of those movies are very cheesy. We would make fun of it.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I love a good horror flick. But I haven't watched one since the boys were born. Well, actually, since they were old enough to get scared. #1 is usually pretty unfazed, but #2 is quite sensitive. Which surprised me when #1 was the one getting scared. I chalked it up as just wanting attention, until I saw his tears and shaking. He's not that good an actor.
At his age I was holding seances and channeling the dead. But the boys are still in the "literal" stage and are still struggling with real vs. make-believe. They are still in the "what if" stage, and come up with all these scenarios of what they should do if something bad happens.
-- Edited by FNW on Sunday 21st of February 2016 02:44:02 PM
I agree that it's cheesy. I'm just surprised since you are so anti bad language.
It's been a while since I've seen it. I don't remember a lot of bad language.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Okay, so the second graders at my boys' school spend an hour or so each Friday with a 5th grader. This is called special reader time or something like that. Anyway, there is a 5th grade girl who seems to be really into horror movies, and tells the stories to the children. Lately #1, who rarely cries (didn't even cry when he broke his arm) and has always been pretty much fearless, has been having trouble sleeping. In fact, the other night, he was crying hysterically and shaking to the point that I lay down with him until he could fall back asleep. He told me he was afraid of dolls turning into murderers, someone coming into his room and giving him poisonous kisses to kill him, etc.
I have spent time with him discussing the falsities of these stories, showing him our security system, locked windows, etc., and explaining to him that these movies are intended to scare and there are some people who enjoy that. Last night he slept through the night and in the morning declared that he was still alive, etc.
I told him next time this girl wants to tell him a story, put his hand up and say he didn't want to hear any more scary stories, and tell her to just read the book given. We talked about whether his teacher should be aware of it, he said he thinks he should tell the teacher but would prefer if I told her. He did not know the girl's name. Last night we went through his yearbook and he identified the girl so now I have a name.
What say you? Should I let the teacher know what this girl is doing? Should I leave it alone and see if #1 figures out a way to handle her on his own?
Yes. You should tell the teacher so that she has the opportunity to explain to the girl what it appropriate to be saying to little kids. And also, I would tell them not to put my kids with her again.
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LawyerLady
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