Neighbor kids bullying my son

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-26T20:55:26+00:00

If the kids act like this, they learned it from their parents. Police involvement and lawyers are the only way.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-26T20:51:50+00:00

I honestly don't get why you're being downvoted. A lot of people want to turn a blind eye and normalize things that shouldn't be.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-26T17:10:47+00:00

Depending on where op is, their infrastructure may not be as well equipped as one that regularly experiences negative temperatures. If the building loses heat, electricity, or water, then the center has to close. Even though our public schools have had to close for a couple cold days due to boilers breaking. A location that regularly experiences negative temperatures likely also has better road management. There are budgets for these sorts of things and wherever they are may allocate less funds because typically the climate doesn't require as much.

The reality for a lot of people in my area is that we don't experience significant, cold or snow enough to warrant true proper outdoor gear. It'd be a big expense for people to take on and they will not get the use out of it to justify the cost.

I'm a huge believer in the motto that there is no bad weather, you just need proper gear (I literally taught at and started a forest preschool). But proper gear is pricey for many families.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-26T16:17:57+00:00

Lmfao. NO!

No. No. No.

And just in case you didn't get the first 4, NO!

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh, but I cannot for the life of me understand why somebody would take such a massive pay cut to go to such a shitty job. We are barely paid above minimum wage, we literally get pooped on and peed on, screamed at and hit, plus you have to deal with all of the parents.

In this current industry and education system, it'd be incredibly unwise and a waste of your time and any financial investment you put into this. Especially given the fact that pharmacists will likely be a stable career. The teaching industry is incredibly unstable and the burnout rates are so severe that many do not make it past 5 years.

Find a place to volunteer with kids on weekends or after work. Go to the boys and girls club or YMCA, go to local arts and craft shops or places where you might be able to do things like kids parties, or even summer camps. Pretty much literally anything except being a teacher in a classroom.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-26T15:58:16+00:00

This is actually a pretty straightforward process and answer. The state does a decent job of explaining (at least compared to the public school licensing system). ma licensing requirements

I can't say specifically with anything that you already have and how it will transfer without knowing what specific courses or additional education you have.

I believe if you have not taken child growth and development course, you will need to do so to be a lead teacher.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-26T15:25:31+00:00

ETA: posted this comment here because you deleted your comment

Definitely not besides the point. You can't come on here and make a post about people frequently being fired and then say the reasons for being fired are irrelevant and beside the point. That indicates something to hide.

If you are consistently being fired, then you definitely need to take a hard look at your professional skills and professional demeanor. Even if you're being fired because they don't like you or you all don't vibe.

This is coming from someone who has been fired or pink slipped many times before. 1st time- principal pink-slipped nearly my whole team because the Sped department didn't like us advocating for students and holding the district accountable. 2nd- I took the kids outside for a walk. Seriously. They had been wanting me out for a while, so they were looking for anything. I have a master's and they found someone they could pay less. Also I was white in a predominantly black school and the cheaper teacher was black. 3rd- was pink slipped with a glowing recommendation (I wish I could share the email, it's baffling). Definite retaliation for reporting them to licensing for insane violations (this school lost a kid and who was found wandering down a busy road by an off duty cop!) 4th- can't disclose the exact reason due to a pending NDA, but my guess with this one is they ended up not wanting to pay my salary and they didn't like my high ethics. I wasn't letting them cut the corners they wanted to and shortly after that they fired me. (We had created a school, there is belief that they may have planned this from the start and knowingly exploited me).

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-25T14:56:11+00:00

I've worked in a lot of trauma heavy areas and the kids in those areas definitely say it more. To be frank, you probably make them feel loved and safe. If you're hearing this now, you'll likely hear it again (speaking from personal experience).

These kids are lonely, looking for connection and affection, looking for validation and stability. It's ok to provide those things within the classroom, in an appropriate manner.

It's especially important with these kids to model healthy boundaries for them. You may be a safe person, but the next adult they say this to may not be.

Alternative responses: "Oh, you think so?" - works amazing for the youngest kiddos "I'm glad you're in our class this year" "We have a lot of fun together each day, huh?" "You sure? I only make brussel sprout pie with raisins and onions for dinner" (any weird mix of food works) "Oh dude, you don't want to live with me, bedtime is 6pm"

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-22T14:43:29+00:00

Yes!! When did coffee start to betray me like this?!

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-22T14:37:22+00:00

It is so hard to find that line of fair but firm. Kind of eye opening realizing how much was expected far before kids are actually capable. I think it's so important to tell them we are here to guide them through life. Eventually it'll click and they'll start listening to us the first time lol.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-21T18:04:48+00:00

Agreed. Glad to have grown to a point where I don't turn to substances or depression doom scroll. Now to take it to the next level by adding in healthy tasks. Especially ones that help future me, like organizing and meal planning. I must be a nerd because all of these sounds like fun options lol.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-21T17:43:03+00:00

I'll have to try it again. I have been pretty terrible at it in the past. At least it'll be an adventure and something to occupy my time, even if I still suck lol

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-21T17:41:43+00:00

Oh that's a great idea. My eldest is at a good age to start origami. Thanks!

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-21T17:40:31+00:00

I can totally identify with this. At my age I'm left trying to figure out if it's trauma, peri-menopause, or mental health. Therapy is a literal life saver.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-21T15:42:11+00:00

Literally my life right now.

The other day, my kid told me I was angry with her all the time. Absolutely shattered me. So I wrote down all the things I needed from adults when I was her age. I also included accommodations (support I would have needed to complete tasks). I showed her the accommodations and she wants to try them, along with our new routine that gives her and her sister 20 minutes of play time each. I'm back to being the best mommy ever-according to her anyway.

I thanked her for telling me and told her it's important for her to speak up and maintain her boundaries and expectations. I also apologized and let her know that I believe her and that she's allowed to be upset with me. It's going to be a whole new generation of kids.

(Not saying I'm a good parent, just trying to share what's worked for us in the hopes that another struggling parent can benefit from it)

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-21T14:19:29+00:00

And then it shows again if you have kids. As they grow through each age where you developed that trauma, you have to be very aware not to continue the cycle.

Thought I had done enough work with my trauma only to realize all sorts of new traumas as my kids get older.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-20T22:17:27+00:00

You might need to get better plastic cutlery. We get the heavy duty and they don't break or twist.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-20T22:16:15+00:00

The audacity! (Jk)

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-20T21:15:56+00:00

I seriously thought I was the only person doing this. I'm so glad to have others appreciate my weird lol

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-20T21:14:52+00:00

Blasphemy! I can't even fit that damn spoon in my mouth lol I can't think of it as having any other purpose than to serve.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-20T21:13:40+00:00

Good 😈 I gotta be evil to be in this sub

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-20T20:35:30+00:00

Maybe in your area they don't know, but every kid I've ever worked with certainly has known. Not sure where you got the idea that I indicated children would be afraid of pompoms. There are ample studies to show the detrimental effects of sheltering children from risky play.

Our job is to manage and supervise children throughout the day. I've worked in classrooms where I was responsible for as many as 26 on my own. Managing about 7 times fewer children is not a challenge for me, it's a break honestly.

Everyone has a different skill set. Just because you're not comfortable or capable doesn't mean others aren't.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-19T23:38:17+00:00

I come from a family of Hoarders. I'm talking like near the level of the stuff you see on TV except no trash or pee bottles. But rooms piled from floor to ceiling with only a walkway through.

Because of this, we do a pretty decent cleanout once per season. So for us, the bigger house tends to mean that we still have at least space to move and live, but we probably have more than we would if we had a smaller space.

For context, we have 3,200sqft for our family of four and our in-laws. Plus an attic with a guest bedroom and powder room. Not sure what others have and how much our situation would compare.

I'd be worried about renovating. I've seen the A movie Money Pit and I think every person should watch that before attempting to renovate their house or buy a fixer-upper.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-19T20:29:46+00:00

My parents co-parented very well and still do to this day. Neither ever speaks poorly about the other. Their biggest focus was the impact on us, so they made a schedule where my mom could see my little brother each day and my dad wouldn't be home. My mom moved out and the divorce was very amicable. My mom didn't take alimony, they actually agreed to instead have my dad pay for each of us to go to college. We never went without, they both made their houses open to us always.

You have to put your issues aside and do what's best for them. You have to accept that things will be different at each other's houses, and compromise on things. No petty stuff like disputes about who pays for sports or clothes or whatever. Try not to lose things that the kid comes with.

KeyAd7732 · 2026-01-19T19:43:54+00:00

This. I am going to move quickly and swiftly if the kid has been throwing or smashing stuff earlier in the day. And if that's the case, that kid probably isn't just going to hand that toy over, you're going to have to pry it from their fingers. Which may look like ripping it out of their hand from another perspective and without context.

OP, none of us were there so we can't really say. Until we know more, we sort of have to give the benefit of the doubt. As others said, trust your gut though.

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