Are your kids being teased?

[Yaaker]

Hi everyone,sorry that I've been "MIA" for a while,things have been crazy around here.Kristopher started school & Mommy went back to work part time,so everythings been in "crazy" mode!:rolleyes: But I have a question for you's ,because we're just not sure how to deal with it.As I said,Kristopher started school in Sept,now granted,it's a SMALL school,there's 4 students (yes,4) all boys,there's Kristopher & another 1st grader,and 2 3rd graders,that's where the trouble started.......at first his sugars were pretty good,and the teacher does really good with him,and if there's a problem or question,she just calls and we run up (it's about 2 miles) But then we noticed his Bgs were going up into the high 300's at morning snack,so we adjusted and still they were high,so I had a talk with the teacher and she said,well,there'd been this little "issue" between Kristopher & one of the older boys,and Kristopher went in "kicking and hitting" (not acceptable) and that when he dropped his pencil & this boy went to pick it up,Kristopher burst into tears.......things clicked (knowing this other little guy!) So Kristopher & I had a talk,and he told me about how this little guy wouldn't beat him up if he gave him "cuts" and gave him something to eat each day..............ok,we got thru that one,and his bgs settled down until about 10 days ago,when they went back thru the roof.......again we adjusted,but no help there,really,so him & grandma had another "talk".......come to find out the other 3rd grader has now been teasing him,telling him his Grandma said she didn't want him to "catch" Kristophers diabetes,and that Kristopher brought "hokey" (haven't heard that word in a while!) food,and that somebody ought to just beat his diabetes out of him...........and that his diabetes was why he wasn't invited to this kids birthday party,his Grandma wasn't dealing with that (this little guy lives with his grandparents,and they're a bit different)........so I asked if he'd told the teacher and he said he had,but that she didn't want him tattling (we'll discuss that today when I pick him up!) But I'm just not sure what to do,do we let him try to work it out himself and just support from the sidelines,and watch his sugars jump all over or what??? I'm not only confused but worried HELP!!!!!!!!! Lori

[Mama2H]

Lori, we had an issue with Hailey being teased and in the heat of the moment I called the other kids parents. If I had thought about it I would not have called but I am glad I did. The other parents were appauled at what was happening and the children were "educated" about what they were doing and why it was so wrong. One set of parents thought it was funny at first until they realized the other parents were REALLY upset and not going to let this happen, they changed thier tune pretty quickly and things have been SOOOOOOOOO much better. I would have a LONG stern talk with the teacher AND with the parents of the other children, don't bother talking to the kids go straight to the parents.

Just my humble opinion.

[Ellen]

I think it's the duty of a first grade teacher to help the children resolve the issues and foster an environment of trust and kindness.

[momofphoenix]

I am so sorry to hear Kristopher is having such a hard time in school. I personally would tell the teacher that I wanted a "meeting" with the other kids grandparents and disscuss with them that what thier grandson is doing is NOT acceptable.

Phoenix had this happen a few weeks ago (it has been on again off again since he was dx'ed) this little boy told Phoenix that diabetes made him ugly and that He couldnt sit by the kid cause he didnt want to "catch' it.. I even bought the book Taking Diabetes To School" and the teacher read it to the class. This boy just wouldnt let up, so finally one day on the play ground this little boy pushed Phoenix right off the swing and took it from him Phoenix had had enough (telling the teacher wasnt helping, talking to mom and dad hadnt helped, and meeting with this other kids parents hadnt helped) Phoenix grabbed the kid by the shirt pushed him down and told him He is PROUD of his diabetes and if he didnt want to be Phoenix's friend that he didnt care. HE DOESNT need friends like that.... Now this little boy trys to play with Phoenix and Phoenix just walks away... I'm not saying what Phoenix did was ok (he got grounded for a week) but it seemed to be the only way to make that kid stop being so mean....

I hope you find a way to make school less stressful for Kristopher... School should be fun not stressful (well at this age anyways ;) )

[Abby-Dabby-Doo]

Diabetes aside, that is pure harassment from the word GO.
Beat the diabetes out of him! Oh some people's kids:mad:
I wouldn't walk to the school, I'd run! That is unacceptable behavior, that kid is just a bully.

[Amy C.]

I would agree with Ellen. The teacher does not seem to be paying attention to how the children are treating each other. This has to be taught as well as the academics.

[LJS118]

That is bullying! I think the teacher should be the one responsible for dealing with this situation. Especially in such a small class this behavior shouldn't be happening.

[Charmed7]

I couldn't follow your post that well, but I think I got it. I'm just confused why his sugars are going up? Is someone feeding him or is he embarrased to test in class?

My son has dealt with different "Bullying" situations. He has a skin condition on top of the diabetes, so some kids are confused if they are the same, or they pick on one of the two conditions.

Some things we did was to have a class discussion about diabetes and what it is. His third grade teacher even had a college student in Biology Major come and explain what happens to the body. I think some kids tease because they don't understand it. (and neither do some parents) And my son did show and tell with his meter, and will do it again with his pump. There was one girl (yes, girl) last year (2nd grade) that kept asking Tre to "slap her five" and when he did she would scream ewww, you have old man hands. He started putting his hands in his pockets and would walk away or tell her no when she did it again. After some discussion with him and teacher I found out she was "Just a bully" and did it to everyone. I explained to my son that some people are just not happy and they pick on everyone. He got a sort of confidence from that and did not find it hard to stand up to her, which was basically telling her to stop or walking away.

When my son was in 1st grade (I know I have a story for every year) he had the bully as a friend (lol). I did some parent help in the class room and one of the older kids cried "Old man hands!" when they saw him coming (at recess) His friend turned and yelled, "Don't call him that, his name is ****" I kind of giggled b/c if they weren't friends, the story would have been a little different.

I would think with only 4 kids in the class room the teacher would have a better handle on what is going on. I think most of my sons support has come from other kids in the class. If your son is not friends with one of them, then all he has is the teacher to help. And with sugar levels raised, there is no time to take the "Kids will work it out themselves" approach. She really should be stepping up to the plate and handling the situation. Your sons health is at risk.

Good luck

Charmed

[Abby-Dabby-Doo]

I couldn't follow your post that well, but I think I got it. I'm just confused why his sugars are going up? Is someone feeding him or is he embarrased to test in class?

His blood sugars are going up from stress (treatment from this other child).

[Yaaker]

Kristophers sugars stay pretty level unless he's stressed,then they go thru the roof :( .When he started school,they had a nurse,who's also a board member come in and give a talk about diabetes,after this same little boy "announced" to the class that "Kristopher had diabetes,because he laid on the couch all day watching tv & eating junk" Kristopher is a STICK!!! LOL if you turn him sideways,you'll loose him! And I do know the teacher tries..........by the way it's ONE teacher,FOUR kids,1 st & 3rd grades (that's the whole school)
I just went and talked to my neighbor,whose also on the school board,and he's going to talk to the teacher and the board,because he agreed that talking to the boys grandparents wouldn't help in any way,but that with the board behind Kristopher that the Grandparents,will have to take some sort of action,becuase it seems,the little guy wasn't allowed back in his normal school this past fall,for the same reason (bullying),so maybe well get somewhere yet.:) Lori

[hughsfan30]

:mad: I can relate, my son is teased all the time for his diabetes. I just want to ring the kids' necks and then their parents but I'm afraid you will find ignorance no matter where you go. My son keeps a fanny pack with him for him meter and kids are always calling him names for that. Fortunately he is a strong willed kid and just laughs when the kids try to use his diabetes as an insult. He even told me once that a kid got mad that he was laughing and asked him why he was laughing. He simply told him "Obviously your too dumb to know what diabetes is for you to try and use it to insult me". I was never so proud! LOL:D