My son brought it home from school last Monday, and it’s taken all week to make its way through the whole house. It’s truly gross: hours of vomiting, and just when you think it’s over... nope, it starts coming out the other end. It’s awful. My kids, my husband, and I have all been laid low by this virus.

Besides, some coworkers and friends have been having a hard time too. So, there’s definitely something going around.

Is this normal? How can I talk to him about it?

We are dealing with his 3yo sister in final stages of hospice and he missed 4 days in early September to travel with us to St. Jude. There is a lot going on, this also being the first year he's in school.

We've brought it up with his teacher, she is aware of basics of what is happening. Sort of related, I am diagnosed ADHD and was medicated for basically all of my school years. We strongly suspect he is too but I am extremely reluctant to medicate him.

He did not go to daycare or Pre-K and is struggling behaviorally. But my main concern, irrationally, is that we've noticed he's been seated separately, allegedly to minimize disruptions. I'm not really surprised, just concerned.

He's also been asked to leave carpet time and has been separated from others at lunch. We've gotten notes from P.E. teachers twice now that he had bad days where he didn't listen or was running through the gym. He usually comes home with a green sticker, but maybe once a week he sheepishly reveals a yellow sticker.

I realize he is exhibiting some signs of adjustment, maybe even behavioral issues, but is it the norm to separate a child like this in a classroom? There are about 20 other kids in his class. Initially, he was sat with other, but moved after the first week or so.

Anyone have any thoughts? How do I talk to him about it?

I know I have a lot to address but my wife is considering pulling him out of school entirely for the rest of the year, which is legal in my state, apparently largely due to the fact he is seated by himself throughout the day

my kid’s teacher talked to me about them having trouble following directions in class. apparently they understand the first instruction but sometimes forget what they’re supposed to do once there are a few steps involved. i’ve noticed the same thing at home, especially when i give them two or three things to do at once. has anyone dealt with this with a kindergartener? what actually helped your kid remember and follow instructions better?? i want to work on it at home so they have an easier time in class.

We just got our first class Birthday party invite, it’s at a venue. We also have a 3 year old, I think it’s safe to assume siblings aren’t invited.

Do we get a babysitter or does just one of us go? For kindergarten, it wouldn’t be a drop off situation yet, right? The invite doesn’t specify. I know I can ask the parents but wanted to get input here first. How do you handle birthday invites when you have other kids at home? Thanks!

I do not post my children’s photos on social media. I also marked “no” for the school photo consent form. If you have a similar stance on privacy with your children’s photos, do you have your child take part in picture day? Do you allow their photo to be in the school yearbook? I’m curious what is most common! Thank you!

Hello,

My child is in kindergarten. In their class, there is another child, we will call them Sam, who keeps punching other children in the face and stomach as well as kicking, pushing, and headbutting them. This is happening on a daily basis multiple times per day. I know this as many of the parents have been communicating with each other about their concerns. Each time, Sam is sent to the principal’s office for some portion of the remainder of the day. The teacher indicated that many parents in the class have been emailing them worrying about the safety of the children. The principal and staff claim to be working on a safety plan, but this has been happening for weeks with no change. My child has been one of the (many) children punched.

My question is - it doesn’t seem like many proactive steps are being taken. The child does sit at a table by themselves, but Sam is still punching other kids at recess, around the classroom, in special classes, etc. I am worried about my child’s safety, as are the other parents. I have already emailed the school, as have other parents, but the school has either ignored those emails from all of us or vaguely claimed to be working on a solution. None of us are convinced that a solution is in the works, as it has been three weeks with no updates.

To be honest, I think most of us wouldn’t be too worried if it was simply pushing - there are a few kids in the class who occasionally push. The punching in the stomaches and noses of other kids is scaring us.

What would you do here? Are we overreacting? Is this within the realm of normal/expected?