Comment Made, but Child Says He Was Only "Joking"

Updated on March 29, 2008
D.C. asks from Irvine, CA
5 answers

Hello, my child's teacher told me that he had to have a sit down with my child regarding a comment that was made to another student. They were talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up and my child said, "I want to be a serial killer". But said he was only joking. Should I seek professional help? or will that make him worse and push him away? Or, should I take it as typical kid joking around?

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone who sent over your supportive words. I sat down with him and talked about the seriousness of the "joking around" especially at school. He took it very well and understood. Since he doesn't have the other troubled characteristics, at least right now, I've decided to hold off on taking it further with a professional. HOWEVER, will continue to look for signs and keep him busy with positive activities and a positive atmosphere. I also spoke with his father, and I don't want to say that it was a "See, I told you so!" conversation, but he's heard the words come out of my mouth before regarding the violent movies, and when I told him what happened at school he seemed worried...(I think) I then learned that his ex-girlfriends, who is a police officer, daughter, was expelled for bringing an airsoft gun to school. So I guess it hit home, hopefully.

So all I can do now is wait and see and stay involved and hope for the best.

Thank you all for your support!

More Answers

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K.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm with the other moms that it really depends on his age and he may honestly have no idea what a serial killer is. You may want to call whomever your pedictrician is and discuss it with them to find out what they think. But definitely discuss it with your son to find out what and why he said it. Some schools are so strict now with the whole bullying thing and shootings that have gone on that they expell children for these types of things. Definitely get to the bottom of it. Best of luck.

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J.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'd just talk with him about it. He might not even know what it is exactly.

Sometimes kids just say things that get reactions and usually they haven't thought through what is coming out of their mouths.

Talk it over :)

J.
www.AisForAutism.net

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S.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would just talk to him and let him know what a serious thing he said,and that it is nothing to joke about.
I wouldnt seek professsional help as long as he is behaving normaly. Just watch for any behavor changes and be sure to ask his teacher to keep an eye out also.
If he continues to talk or " joke" about stuff like that id definatly seek help.

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P.K.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Hi,
I am a school teacher also. We cannot take any "joking" about such serious things as a serial killer. kids are not even allowed to bring a toy gun or knife or any thing that even smacks as violent to school. We cannot condone any kind of inimation of violence-sorry that is what Ca. law makes us.
We teachers understand your point about kids are kids and I am sure he was kidding. However, I think it is wise to make sure he understands when kidding is appropriate and when it is not. If you read the media, you will understand why.

i would like to congratulate you on being concerned. Maybe his father needs a wake up call from your child's teacher also, so he can understand the seriousness of the issue. Good luck!

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M.

answers from Las Vegas on

It would depend on how old your son is on how I would handle the situation. I'm guessing he's somewhere between 8 - 10 years old. If that's right I would question how the entire conversation went and I would just use my best judgment. Chances are he was just goofing off being a typical boy. However he needs to be reminded of the boy who cried wolf and that in this day and age that even joking about something like that could cause him a lot of trouble.

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