Hello,

My son who is 12 years old started high school in September 08 started hitting other people in the school when some one tried grab his TT bat and sports mat. One more time he hit someone who headlocked him. Now the school gave us serious and final warning. In junior school we never had this proplem. He used to cry and complain to the teacher when some one teased him. Now we are worrying very much. What should we do to stop him behaving like this.

Thanks

Padma

Do you have any idea why he is so angry? What does he tell you after he has hurt someone. I presume that teacher's have been involved and there have been parent teacher confrences; what has been said by the school, and what have they suggested i.e. counselling, intervention, alternative behaviour techniques etc.

I doubt that this has come out of the blue, although it may have escalated now that he is in high school. It is a very difficult adjustment for some kids. Mine had a terrible time.

Bullying isn't out of the question either. I hope that along the way your son has had the opportunity to speak up for himself, and he's been listened to.

What is he like at home, is his anger apparent there as well?

Is he defending when others are bullying him? If someone put me in a headlock out on the sidewalk walking to work, they would be in the ER shortly,

I would need to know more about why he is being picked on, but defending ones self is not wrong at least where I come from.

I had a "serious" talk with a princial one time when my son defended from a fight, with witnesses.

Shouldn't a 12 year old only be in 6th grade? Nobody else hasn't picked up on this age discrepancy? Why is he in high school at such an early age? If he is that advanced then I can bet why he is probably being picked on by older kids and he is lashing out defending his position because he would be different then the other kids. Imagine being a freshman at the age of 15 sharing the class with a 12 year old? 15 year old kids beat each other up all the time they look for the weak kids who can't defend themselves and I imagine a 12 year old would be an easy mark...
Bill