Bitten in school… :(

@ 33 months 2 weeks 5 days 

Ryan resumed school yesterday after 10 long holidays break. He was all jovial and couldn’t wait to be in his class. He greeted the teachers Gong Xi Fa Cai and was smiley all the way. I gave him the usual goodbye hugs and kisses and made my way out of the classroom. He made no fuss. Yippeeeee!!!! He’s happy, mommy is happy.

but…..

This morning he woke up and told us he doesn’t want to go school. It was the first time he said so since school started last month. I was quite surprised to hear that as he has never said those words even during the first week when he was still crying out of separation anxiety. Anyway, after some coaxing he was happy and all geared for school.

When we reached the school compound, he began hugging me tightly. The minute we reached the classroom, he started asking me not to go. I reasoned with him that mommy can’t stay and will pick him up at 11am. Teacher distracted him with some toys and I stepped out of the classroom after saying my goodbyes. I came out and peeped at him through the window as usual. Minutes later, he ran to the door and started crying looking for mommy. I went in and comforted him. After a few minutes he was ready to let me go for good. This time he didn’t cry and was back to his jovial self. Phew..

I peeped at Ryan for a litle while longer to ensure he’s all okay before making my way home. I was relieved he never cried when I left the second time yet I was puzzled at the sudden change in him.

I went to school a little earlier today to pick Ryan. I found out from some mommies who were there earlier that Ryan was bitten by a boy (bully) and he was crying loudly. OMG!!! I peeped through the window and true enough Ryan was being comforted by one of the teachers (still sobbing). I couldn’t be more relieved when Ryan stopped crying after a short while but I was determined to find out the cause.

After school, I asked the teacher. She told me the boys were snatching toys from each other and that was why Ryan cried. Huh? That was not what the mommies told me. Anyway, I asked Ryan if his friend bit him. He said YES and when I asked who bit him, spontaneously he pointed to Bully. Ryan tapped on his shoulder when I asked him where he was bitten. I checked, holy moly, true enough, there was a bite mark! I was super furious and confronted the teacher right away. She explained she checked but did not see the bite mark. Well, although the mark wasn’t really obvious unless you pull down the shirt to check (which I did) as it was at the back of the shoulder but for the teacher to be so careless, c’mon I cannot accept that kind of explanation. A child suddenly cried in class and you actually did suspect he may be bitten, wouldn’t it make sense to check more thoroughly to make sure the poor child wasn’t badly hurt elsewhere?? Especially the case when the teachers knew this boy has a history of snatching and biting other kids (Bully bit another girl last week though the injury was not as bad as Ryan’s). Duh!

Well after making my point, the teachers apologised profusely but I still couldn’t accept their ignorance. I lodged an official complain and will speak with the principal and the Bully’s parent tomorrow. I know this make me sound very protective of my son.. but as a parent, who isn’t? I want him to grow and learn to protect himself yet what kind of a mother I am if I allow my son to be repeatedly bullied right. I’m just hoping he won’t be too traumatised and start hating school. I wonder if that is the reason why he wants me to stay this morning. Sobsss….. poor boy.