My son came home from school the other day, and he had bruises on his arm, and his face was so red, he wouldn't tell me what was wrong, but finally he cracked, he spilled everything, he couldn't take it no more, he was kicked and shoved by 5 other boys, he was afraid that If i called the school or talked to those boys' parents' then that would just make it worse for my son, does anyone have any ideas about what i should do?
I talked to my son today and it turns out he wasn't bullied, he just didn't want me to think he was clumsy or stupid or anything, apparently on his way to class tripped down some stairs, he was afraid to tell me what really happened because he was afraid i would think he was stupid or dumb, I would never think that, but thank you all for your help, i will know what to do if that really ever does happen.
I agree with calling the police. And if the school doesn't follow up, I'd find another school for my boy. He has been traumatized by these boys and doesn't know what to believe about himself. He doesn't even think the grownups can do anything to help him.
Documentation (pictures, etc.) is also a good thing to have.
Keep digging...the first story still may be true. Keep an eye on him and his mental health.
Secondly if it is bully activity check the school web site. On ours you can "anonamously" report that sort of activity.
Good luck.
A., please keep talking to him. Don't overdo it or harp on it but keep the lines of communication open so he feels he can tell you things.
I suspect that possibly he really was hit by these kids, and the second story about falling down was his attempt to cover it up. He may fear that you are going to tell the school and he will then be bullied worse. Kids this age are very concerned about what their peers think and very concerned to appear tough and able to take anything other kids dish out. I think when he cracked and tearfully told you he was hit, that sounds likelier than when he had had time to think up a cover and told you he just fell down.
I am not saying he's an intentional liar; I"m saying he may be one very scared and confused little boy.
This is the time when it helps to have good communications with his teacher. I would go (in person) to the teacher and talk to her or him alone (without your son there!) and explain both tales. Say that you are concerned that he may be covering up being hit. You can ask the teacher if she or anyone else witnessed or mentioned a fall, too.
Ask the teacher to be frank with you about whether there are boys in the class who seem to be excluding or picking on your son. Any teacher these days will be very cautious and may not give any names, I expect, but put the teacher on notice that you suspect your son was beaten up and expect not to hear any further reports of this.
The teacher and the school DO need to know about it, regardless of whatever he said later about falling down.
Call the police and make a complaint against every one of these boys. 5th grade is just inches away from middle school and if these "future criminals" don't get a wake up call, who knows what will happen next? You may be doing them the biggest favor of their lives.
Notify the police. Your son was assaulted and terrorized. Without a strong reaction and some sort of negative consequences for the boys who assaulted your son, the damaging behavior will continue (and likely worsen). Good luck! Advocate for your son's safety!
