How would you handle this?

DS is in 2nd grade. There is another boy who has been in his class since K and has antagonized him since day one. As most of it was verbal (with a push or shove here and there) I advised DS how to handle it on his own. He does not socialize with this boy at all. His school has a "hands-off" policy - no contact at all.

The other day, they were waiting in line to go home and this boy grabbed something out of my son's hands and put it in his backpack. Two seconds later, my son asked for it back and he said it didn't know where it was. When my son came home, he told us what happened and we had him call this boy (on speakerphone). He said hi, the boy said who's this, my DS told him his name and the boy said "what do you want?" My DS told him he wanted his item back and the boy said he didn't know where it was at the time, but he found it and would bring it to school today. Needless to say, this boy says he forgot it but will bring it next week.

This item is not expensive but it's the fact that it belongs to my DS. This boy stole from him. What is my next move - call the parents? Call or email the teacher? Continue to have my DS ask for it back? I know if we don't take care of this now, this boy will continue to steal since he knows he can get away with it. And I'm sure it won't always be something inexpensive.

Re: How would you handle this?

Since this starting happening, have you called his parents?
I would call the teacher and the parents. Make the teacher aware of what s going on. His parents should know too. I would tell the parents you are coming to pick up whatever that item is this weekend. Or make them drop it off. Inconvenience them so they get that kid in line.

How would you handle this?

Thank you for the response. The thing is, I'm not even sure the parents will do anything about it. I've met them a few times and they seem very hands off, which is why this boy probably thinks he can do whatever he wants and get away with it.

Re: How would you handle this?

I would definitely speak with the classroom teacher about this ongoing situation.

Re: How would you handle this?

Re: How would you handle this?

I would speak with the teacher because this happened on school grounds. I would ask that the item be returned to school and have the teacher supervise the hand over. If it does not happen by Wednesday I would ask for an in school meeting between you, the kids parents and the school. If this is the first time you have notified the school of the issue they may not be so receptive to this though. I would make an itemized list of all the issues your child has with the other child to give to the school so they are on notice of the problems. Or you could be nice and call the parents and not get the school involved but for continued issues yes, I would get the school involved because the issues are occurring on school property.

How would you handle this?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will call the parents tonight and see if I get anywhere. I will also send the teacher an email and see what type of response I get. If I'm not satisfied with it, I'll speak to the teacher when I'm at the school on Wednesday.

Re: How would you handle this?

No matter how small the item, your DC was bullied and stolen from. Speak with the parents and also alert the teacher. But I know what you mean, so many parents these days allow their children to be animals and get away with all sorts of things. I would not stop until I got the item back.

Re: How would you handle this?

Definitely alert the teacher! This happened to my DD last year-she brought a toy in for show and tell and one of her classmates took it and said he was bringing it back. He didn't and I happened to chaperone a field trip where I told him I expected it returned the next day. I also mentioned it to the teacher and it was returned immediately. Broken, but returned.
Kids can be so horrible at this age.

How would you handle this?

Thanks again for all your advice. I called the parents and was told they were not home so I have to try again tomorrow (didn't want to leave a message since I don't know if they'd get it).

Re: How would you handle this?

My DS is only in K and he is my oldest so not sure if my advice will be on point but, that said. I would call the teacher and I would do so until the situation is resolved every time something happens. Since this is happening in school it is the teacher and school administration that should be responsible IMO. I think again that since it is in school the teacher should call the parents - tell them what the boy took and have the boy send it back in. I would personally not have my child call the other boy and subject him to more cruelty. I also wouldn't personaly call the parents unless it happened under my watch. I feel it will be more effective if done by the school (teacher, nurse, etc. whoever is involved in remedying the situation). Good luck - your poor DS should NOT, NOT, NOT have to deal with this

But, again, my DS is young and so far, thank god we haven't had to deal with anything like these situations so maybe I don't know the proper protocol!