Inappropriate Topics at Guides

LannieDuck

In response to her saying she doesn't want to go, would it be worth trying to switch to a different unit? Especially if she loved brownies?

djtonyb

As a Guider (of Brownies, Guides and Senior Section) I would strongly advise talking to the Guider in Charge.

It may have been the unit is covering some of this years WAGGGS topics for Thinking Day. Please speak to the Guider we are not all scary people and would appreciate parent feedback

maman

djtonyb wrote: »

As a Guider (of Brownies, Guides and Senior Section) I would strongly advise talking to the Guider in Charge.

I'd definitely agree with the advice. Children of all ages are taught about 'keeping safe' at school but specifically explaining rape at that age doesn't seem appropriate.

djtonyb do you know why Guiding has different transfer times/age ranges from schools? I don't think it's always been thay way or perhaps my memory is failing!:)

mrsjanebanbury2009

Maybe she would enjoy Scouts more? Especially if she's into camping and stuff like that?

GlasweJen

Talk to the leader, I'm sometimes asked to take my friends guide pack (I'm a brownie leader) and it is different but it shouldn't be upsetting!

You need to find out how this discussion came about, there's a reason that guiding is girls only and that is that sometimes guides is the only safe place a girl has. It could be that there was a general discussion about what qualities your look for/avoid in a boyfriend/girlfriend and when the groups have broke off a girl has mentioned violence as that is what she has witnessed.

I have had brownies join my pack who are foster children or who are going through adoption, have fled from violent homes, been removed from drug addicted parents and all sorts, their perspective is respected as much as our other kids but it does lead to some pretty intense sessions sometimes - and my kids are much younger!

djtonyb

Maman its always been this way. Rainbows start at 5 yrs (4 in NI) and transfer at 7. Brownies transfer to Guides between their 10th and 11th Birthdays. Senior Section is 14-26 years (poss change to 31 yrs).

Works quite well in the 3 tier schooling system of Central Bedfordshire lol

Kildare

firesidemaid wrote: »

Guides does seem to have changed since my day!

It was still about having fun, crafts, camping, badges and also becoming adept at all sort of tasks.

It was also a mixture of things done within the patrols and as a joint group - with the older ones helping to look after the younger ones.

Agree with this - I give you its been about 15 years since I last went to guides it was more about arts, crafts, earning the badges, help in the community and camping. The last one is why I eventually gave up on it as I am not outdoorsy :rotfl:

I agree its good to have an all female group to go to and one where these topics are discussed, but especially if rape is being discussed the parents should have been informed first. Additionally if there are some very young 10 year olds and some more adult 14 years olds perhaps they should be split into age groups for these talks. I'd be interested to here the feedback from your discussion with the troop leader OP.

ViolaLass

djtonyb wrote: »

Maman its always been this way. Rainbows start at 5 yrs (4 in NI) and transfer at 7. Brownies transfer to Guides between their 10th and 11th Birthdays. Senior Section is 14-26 years (poss change to 31 yrs).

Works quite well in the 3 tier schooling system of Central Bedfordshire lol

But 10-11 is Year 6, not year 5. I'd have thought that's a big difference at that age.

cte1111

ViolaLass wrote: »

But 10-11 is Year 6, not year 5. I'd have thought that's a big difference at that age.

Children have their tenth birthday in year 5, my daughter's birthday is in September so she is one of the oldest in her year group. She waited to go up to Guides until after her friend's birthday.

Saturnalia

GlasweJen wrote: »

Talk to the leader, I'm sometimes asked to take my friends guide pack (I'm a brownie leader) and it is different but it shouldn't be upsetting!

You need to find out how this discussion came about, there's a reason that guiding is girls only and that is that sometimes guides is the only safe place a girl has. It could be that there was a general discussion about what qualities your look for/avoid in a boyfriend/girlfriend and when the groups have broke off a girl has mentioned violence as that is what she has witnessed.

I have had brownies join my pack who are foster children or who are going through adoption, have fled from violent homes, been removed from drug addicted parents and all sorts, their perspective is respected as much as our other kids but it does lead to some pretty intense sessions sometimes - and my kids are much younger!

That's what I wondered too, had one of the girls raised the topic at Guides, feeling it was the only female-only-safe-space she had available?

Op you should speak to the leader though, 10 is young if your daughter isn't ready to hear & talk about this. And pretty sad that she's hearing about the bad sides of sex and relationships before she's heard about the good sides.