Can I Fix This?

spud30

Get some flippin work done woman

I agree you should consult the head. I'm not worried about the highlights, but she shouldnt have nail extensions and most definitely the belly piercing is wrong at that age :mad:

I'd be interested to know what the head says.

boredofbeingathome

keep us informed about it. I think the girl's mother in my class signed some form or other, but still she didn't have the proper care and hence casualty. just talked to my nephew this afternoon, he confirmed that it is a voluntary code of conduct in these shops, but he said there is a lot of unrest in the industry as quite a few cases have come back to haunt them in the case of children and piercings. he confirms that his shop in Preston would never pierce under 16 knowingly!!

ciarasdreams

I spoke to the head about it who was really supportive and understood exactly what my concerns are regarding health and safety issues but did remind me that although I am entitled to my own opinions on the way that some children are being encouraged to grow up far too quickly that I must keep them to myself but she did strongly indicate that she was in agreement. She has said that she will deal with the situation from here on because it is in her view so very serious not only because of the safety implications but because it breaches several of the school rules which were drawn up in consultation with the parents association.

boredofbeingathome

ciarasdreams wrote: »

I spoke to the head about it who was really supportive and understood exactly what my concerns are regarding health and safety issues but did remind me that although I am entitled to my own opinions on the way that some children are being encouraged to grow up far too quickly that I must keep them to myself but she did strongly indicate that she was in agreement. She has said that she will deal with the situation from here on because it is in her view so very serious not only because of the safety implications but because it breaches several of the school rules which were drawn up in consultation with the parents association.

I thought that may be the case, i think thats why my parent had to sign a form- but as i said she still didn't seem to have any aftercare. The same seems to happen with earrings as well, my children's primary were quite liberal about it so long as plasters covered on PE days or taken out when healed, but high school - no earrings- at all, no belly button on nipple piercings on Pe days. You can't police all and it is very important to remain neutral and dont get drawn into discussion with parent about it as she may use your opinion as ammunition. I'm not sure whether there is union guidence on it but i know they will come down strongly on the health and safety side of things and that is the route the head will take as well i suspect.

ciarasdreams

spud30 wrote: »

Get some flippin work done woman

I agree you should consult the head. I'm not worried about the highlights, but she shouldnt have nail extensions and most definitely the belly piercing is wrong at that age :mad:

I'd be interested to know what the head says.

I was working honestly. I know that I am probably just being silly but to me they get to spend so little time as a child anyway that it seems almost criminal when people try to steal years of it away by converting them into young adults. Why is it so wrong for children to be childlike these days? I understand that the highlights are not really a safety issue like the nails and the piercing are and will realistically result in no long term harm for her but it just worries me anyway because where does it all stop? I will stop ranting and overreacting now and go and hide quietly in the corner instead.

ciarasdreams

boredofbeingathome wrote: »

I thought that may be the case, i think thats why my parent had to sign a form- but as i said she still didn't seem to have any aftercare. The same seems to happen with earrings as well, my children's primary were quite liberal about it so long as plasters covered on PE days or taken out when healed, but high school - no earrings- at all, no belly button on nipple piercings on Pe days. You can't police all and it is very important to remain neutral and dont get drawn into discussion with parent about it as she may use your opinion as ammunition. I'm not sure whether there is union guidence on it but i know they will come down strongly on the health and safety side of things and that is the route the head will take as well i suspect.

I think that that is maybe why my boss is taking over dealing with the situation because she very politely told me that really I just do not have the level of experience needed to deal effectively with the varied politics of the entire situation without doing my career some kind of damage which I have to admit I was a bit hurt by.

boredofbeingathome

ciarasdreams wrote: »

I think that that is maybe why my boss is taking over dealing with the situation because she very politely told me that really I just do not have the level of experience needed to deal effectively with the varied politics of the entire situation without doing my career some kind of damage which I have to admit I was a bit hurt by.

I wouldn't be offended by that remark, she is right- too many teachers get their fingers burnt for entirely innocent comments.I completely agree with the morality aspect, but there will be a damage limitation excercise going on which will allow everyone to save face. She is well paid to take the flak - so let her.

boredofbeingathome

ciarasdreams wrote: »

I was working honestly. I know that I am probably just being silly but to me they get to spend so little time as a child anyway that it seems almost criminal when people try to steal years of it away by converting them into young adults. Why is it so wrong for children to be childlike these days? I understand that the highlights are not really a safety issue like the nails and the piercing are and will realistically result in no long term harm for her but it just worries me anyway because where does it all stop? I will stop ranting and overreacting now and go and hide quietly in the corner instead.

No not being silly, or over reacting- we all feel like that. I wonder how mum got drawn into it? I know a lot of places advertise princess parties pampering for younger ones, a bit of dress up does no harm, but in the workplace - which school also is, we all have to follow dress codes. I personally would never allow my girls highlights, apart from the upkeep and money I do think sometimes that like adults make mistakes with their hair and so do children. One mum and daughter in my year 6 class, had multi-coloured highlights in their hairs, it looked fab on mum, but little girls hair was finer and didn't take as well. She had brittle bits and the colours weren't staying the same. The children started to call her names- guineapig was one as we had one in school! she cried buckets about it and was quite distressed, and then the poor little love, persuaded her mum to dye it one colour- i could have cried for her! It looked worse.
Anyway as you say a mine field of politics- the school never made an issue of it, and later on there was an edict about dyed hair. I just felt sorry for the child. I'm sure everyone has tales on both sides, but it will go on and keep doing so.

ciarasdreams

boredofbeingathome wrote: »

No not being silly, or over reacting- we all feel like that. I wonder how mum got drawn into it? I know a lot of places advertise princess parties pampering for younger ones, a bit of dress up does no harm, but in the workplace - which school also is, we all have to follow dress codes. I personally would never allow my girls highlights, apart from the upkeep and money I do think sometimes that like adults make mistakes with their hair and so do children. One mum and daughter in my year 6 class, had multi-coloured highlights in their hairs, it looked fab on mum, but little girls hair was finer and didn't take as well. She had brittle bits and the colours weren't staying the same. The children started to call her names- guineapig was one as we had one in school! she cried buckets about it and was quite distressed, and then the poor little love, persuaded her mum to dye it one colour- i could have cried for her! It looked worse.
Anyway as you say a mine field of politics- the school never made an issue of it, and later on there was an edict about dyed hair. I just felt sorry for the child. I'm sure everyone has tales on both sides, but it will go on and keep doing so.

I know I am possibly a bit oversensitive to the situation but this comes from a bit of knowledge relating to what is possibly extreme circumstances. I get on really well with one of my sister's friends who works in a child psychiatric setting and she has has mentioned her work on a few occasions and I find it really disturbing that she works with children under the age of 10 who can work out the exact calorific content of absolutely everything that they ingest down to a single polo mint. Like I said I know that this is an extreme but it just worries me because it must have started somewhere and I realise that that somewhere was in all probability very innocent but how did it all develop so far at such a young age and how can you tell what children will be effected like this?

boredofbeingathome

I know what you mean, so much pressure on children. The debate about what influences them to think like that is a never ending one.As my dd2 has been in and out of hospital you would be surprised at how many children are in there with some scar or another, 9 year old anoerexics and drug users and on our last visit a 13 year old alcoholic. All extremes and a lot of it peer pressure influenced by wanting to fit in or lifestyle choices made from the lack of parental care- to abuse issues. it is indeed a sad little world. I dont think current tv shows help either such as bb, or some of the talent ones- all enjoyable watching and not to blame per se, but who knows what little trigger is there? Its true that external factors affect the internal one, the nature vs nurture debate? Humans are complex individuals and if we had all the answers we would be wise men/ women indeed. Don't beat yourself up too hard it is an emotive issue and senior management will also be struggling over the merits of it all as well.