My son was suspended from school for VANDALISM!
By lilybug
@lilybug (21107)
United States
September 24, 2007 9:33am CST
My 7 1/2 year old son was suspended from school for 2 days for Vandalism. Apparently he put paper towels in the sink in the boys restroom and turned on the water. It has happened several time before, but no one was ever caught. He got caught! He had told me just the night before of a kid doing it. That kid never got caught though. He said the only reason he did it is because the other boys were doing it. One of the boys he told me about is always mean to him. He was doing it to try to belong. He knew it was wrong, but did it against his better judgment to try to fit in.
Anyone else have a kid who gives in to peer pressure?
2 people like this
6 responses
@mkirby624 (1598)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I agree with other posters, you should try to find a mom of a child in your son's class and set up a "playdate" of sorts. He needs to find some friends that come from families that share similar rules and values.
1 person likes this
@quickinstinct (432)
• United States
25 Sep 07
Better watch out if your kid is rolling with the sink clogging punks of grade school now, by the time he reaches high school he might be backing up the toilets!
Seriously, I wouldn't worry about this and I think it is a bit absurd that the school suspended him for vandalism, he is 8...the only thing he'll learn from this is 1.) The kids he was trying to emulate will end up thinking he is 'cool' for being suspended and 2.) To get out of class alls he has to do is jam up the drains, reinforcing his bad behavior.
Kids in HIGH SCHOOL and COLLEGE used to do this where I went and the worst they got was a detention and perhaps having to clean up the mess after school and at least in high school these kids became the cool rebels of the school.
1 person likes this
@beaniegdi (1964)
•
25 Sep 07
Poor lad. It is hard for children when they want to fit in with others and I am sure he was shocked to be the one caught. At least this way it gives you the opportunity to talk to him about what can happen when you go along with others when you know it is wrong. If he had got away with this he may have gone on to do worse things so hopefully you can nip this in the bud. Children and even adults often do things in groups or through group pressure that they would never dream of doing on their own.
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
25 Sep 07
Sorry to hear that your son got suspended for that. My son now 8 (close enough) actually did it a few times last year but never got caught. He told me about it though. He still did it a couple more times because like your son he wanted to fit in with the other boys who were also doing it. We all have given into peer pressure I think at some point in our lifes but as we grow more sure of ourself we can make better choices for what we think is right. We talk about it and think of ways that he can get himself out of the situation before it goes too far. As long at it isn't something very serious like harming himself or others I wouldn't worry too much about it. I think it is a phase that will pass. Or at least I hope, I also have a 6 year old son that will be getting there soon too. HEHE
Too bad your son got caught though... Vicki
1 person likes this
@holtinator (271)
•
24 Sep 07
From what you say here, your son must have felt forced into doing this, to be part of the "boys gang". What i would reccomend doing at this stage is giving youre son a lecture on why it is wrong, and if a group makes you do something to be in the group, then that group is not worth being in! But most of all, you should not worry, youre son is just groing up and this is bound to happen!
1 person likes this
@wild_flow_r (304)
• Philippines
24 Sep 07
this is a very tough boy you hvae. i suggest you really pay attention to him. and if you have time do visit in school to get to know his friends. i can see that at the very young age he is starting to mess with the bad guys in school.i hope that he wouldn't socialize with these type of kids in school
@pkosher (71)
• United States
24 Sep 07
You son needs you to help him pick some good friends. He also needs some help to know what to do if someone is bullying him - he can ignore them, walk away, find a teacher to help, etc. If things don't get better for him, I'd talk with his teacher, the principal, or school counselor - anyone who will listen and help.
