How would you feel...

[southernbella]

I would be ticked too! I'm irish/spanish, so my temper knows no bounds!

It never ceases to amaze me how clueless some "parents" can be. Sbella

 

[horseshowmom]

I don't think you were over reacting (particularly when you bring the special needs aspect into it). Quite honestly, the parents sound really immature and were showing very poor judgment. If they wanted to plaster their children with water balloons, they should have done it after they were away from the bus. I'm sure they thought they were being "fun", but I have to disagree.

 

[kejoda]

Where did I say that I expcted the teachers to do anything about this?

No I do not think they maliciously set out to hurt my child - did you read what I said already about this? As for the driver stopping - she was stopped - she was stopped to let the children off of the bus when the bus was bombarded with balloons.

I was the one that said she should call the teacher. I said that because he could get upset at school and they teachers should know what happened. But since it was the last day its a moot point.

MQuara did you happen to take a pic of your son? Do you know who the parents are? I would be having a visit with them soon.

 

[Aidensmom]

I don't think you were overreacting. If the child had a welt on his face, sensory issues or not, he was HURT. If the parents wanted to throw them at their own children, fine, but they should not have thrown any at the others.

You know, honestly, I would have been a little upset even if my child enjoyed it, if he came home with a welt.

 

[ozarkmom]

I probably would have been mad at first. Then when I calmed down I'd realize that no one meant any harm. They were actually trying to have fun with the kids because most kids like water balloons. That being said yes they used poor judgment and should not have thrown them at the bus since some of the balloons made it inside. Our elem. school had water fun the last day of school and they threw balloons and my DH got a couple of kids with the water hose thankfully no one got mad at him. I'm not sure what you should do but a letter to the editor seems excessive. Maybe just a call to the principal where he can let everyone know not to do this next year.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I think a letter to the editor is a great response. Talking to the principal is probably a good idea but you won't know if he'll actually spread the news to the parents who did this.

I can think of two reasons why this isn't a good idea. One is that "innocent bystanders" like your child can get hurt. The other is that I can see a child running away from a balloon or running after one that didn't pop and ending up in the street, possibly hit by a car.

My guess is that the parents weren't thinking and that the parents also weren't the one who threw the actual balloon. By writing the letter to the editor you're letting them know so that they can think next time.

 

[Nancyg56]

It gets worse........

My child is a special needs child with sensory issues. He's was't just crying when he got home - he was sobbing and shaking like a leaf and had a red welt on his face for 3 hours. This is a kid that screams bloody murder when all you are trying to do is cut his finger nails.. Being hit in the face, caught off guard and then being soaked was more than he was capable of processing.

I just need to feel I guess that I am entitled to be this upset. Part of me feels bad for making a fuss because I know they meant no harm but another part of me wants them to know what they did and who they did it to.

I wrote a letter to the Ed of the local paper and now I regret doing that because I am thinking there will be some sort of a nasty response or some lame "maybe your kid shouldn't be riding that bus" or "you're over-reacting" type comments.

I was with you right til the end of your post. You need to back up this train. This is not about a special needs child. This is about YOUR child. He, along with every other child, is entitles to ride the school bus home and be secure in the knowledge that he is in a safe environment.

You are not over reacting. This may have been a no harm intended prank, but there was harm done. That teh parents or whomever was not thinking does not absolve them because they DID hurt someone, a child, one not their own.

If there are remarks insinusting that your child does not belong on the school bus because he has special need, consider the source. There will always be people who do not accept that everyone is entitled to be a child with other children. He was hurt, not because he has special needs, but because an adult who should have known better decided to play an irresponsible game without thinking of the consequences.

I am glad that you took the time to write the letter. If it enlightens one person in regards to roughhousing at the bustop, you will have done your town a public service. Children are instructed in bus stop behavior. Who would have thought that adults needed to be educated as well?

 

[sue1013]

Sorry but I think a letter to the editor is a little over the top. I'm sorry your son was upset and that he had a welt but it's not like they were throwing rocks, it was a water balloon. We've had many water balloon fights in our yard through the years and no one ever got hurt so I wouldn't consider it assault as another poster called it.

 

[MareQ]

I am glad that you took the time to write the letter. If it enlightens one person in regards to roughhousing at the bustop, you will have done your town a public service. Children are instructed in bus stop behavior. Who would have thought that adults needed to be educated as well?

Thank you..

It's so hard being a mom - let alone a mom of a special child. I second guess EVERY decision I make because I am just so unsure of myself and I have a hard time determining if I am thinking "clearly". I am a very emotional and sensitive person so sometimes I just don't know if what I am doing is the right thing to do.

 

[disykat]

It amazes me how some parents feel that it is okay to pull "school pranks" as an adult. If the parents wanted to throw water balloons at their kids they should have waited until the bus pulled away and innocent bystanders were out of the way.

When I was teaching, anytime parents were coming (like on a field trip) I had to give little talks on appropriate behavior and expectations to everyone AFTER the parents had arrived - because they were usually my target audience. The kids already knew the rules, but I was always surprised at how many parents tried to get the kids to break them.

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

You have every right to be upset. Yes, there are many people/kids that like water balloon fights, but it wasn't a "fight" between just those that liked/wanted it. There was a person that was hurt and had no interest in the water balloons. He was just sitting on a bus, minding his own business.

I don't think that a letter to the editor was bad. It will allow the situation to be addressed. People will read it (and hopefully) see that they need to think before doing something. What if more people had this same idea and the letter changes their mind?

It could have been worse, the balloon could have damaged his eye (freak accidents do happen) and people need to think before they do something.

As for it being an assult, it was. Now, it was not intentional, but it was still an assult. Your child was hurt. Are you going to file a police report? That's your right, but I don't get from your postings that you want to do that.

I didn't read if you knew what parents did this, but if you do I would have a chat with them. There's not much that can be done now, but they need to know what they did was wrong.

Good Luck!

 

[disykat]

Sorry but I think a letter to the editor is a little over the top. I'm sorry your son was upset and that he had a welt but it's not like they were throwing rocks, it was a water balloon. We've had many water balloon fights in our yard through the years and no one ever got hurt so I wouldn't consider it assault as another poster called it.

There's a difference between having water balloon fights in your yard and throwing them at a bus. If kids had thrown them, they would be in serious trouble for misbehaving at the bus stop.

I still remember how much trouble my brother was in when the principal called my parents (who btw, was in first grade - not an adult) because he got caught throwing snowballs at the school bus.

 

[MareQ]

As for it being an assult, it was. Now, it was not intentional, but it was still an assult. Your child was hurt. Are you going to file a police report? That's your right, but I don't get from your postings that you want to do that.

I want the parents to learn from this not be punished because of it. The police have more important things to do anyway.

I didn't read if you knew what parents did this, but if you do I would have a chat with them. There's not much that can be done now, but they need to know what they did was wrong.

Good Luck!

I have no idea what parents were involved. That bus stop is about 10 minutes from me and services a road with about 30 houses on it. I'd have to go up and down the road and ring every bell and ask if they were involved if I wanted to personally find out who was there.

 

[declansdad]

Sorry but I think a letter to the editor is a little over the top. I'm sorry your son was upset and that he had a welt but it's not like they were throwing rocks, it was a water balloon. We've had many water balloon fights in our yard through the years and no one ever got hurt so I wouldn't consider it assault as another poster called it.

Actually if her child felt threatened it is assualt and since he was struck, it is battery as well. Although many jurisdictions use the tem assault for both.

The situation you described was in your yard and everyone was willing participant. That was not the case wit the op's child.

 

[Pdowning98]

I completely agree that regardless of the parents intent the prank was very irresponsible. Good luck on whatever happens in this situation!

 

[lucyblondecat]

My child is a special needs child with sensory issues. He's was't just crying when he got home - he was sobbing and shaking like a leaf and had a red welt on his face for 3 hours. This is a kid that screams bloody murder when all you are trying to do is cut his finger nails.. Being hit in the face, caught off guard and then being soaked was more than he was capable of processing. .

Poor kid. This makes me so angry. Its bad enough that this happened, but given the issues your son has its just inexcusable. WTH were those people thinking?????

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I want the parents to learn from this not be punished because of it. The police have more important things to do anyway

I'd file a report with the police. If they're first time offenders, they likely won't receive much of a punishement if any. But perhaps having to talk to the police might make them learn something.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

There's a difference between having water balloon fights in your yard and throwing them at a bus. If kids had thrown them, they would be in serious trouble for misbehaving at the bus stop.

I still remember how much trouble my brother was in when the principal called my parents (who btw, was in first grade - not an adult) because he got caught throwing snowballs at the school bus.

AMEN!
Parents have no business throwing ANYTHING at a bus!!!!
Very, very, poor judgement on their part.

 

[jbdreamer]

I don't even have kids and this upsets me. If a child was throwing water balloons at the bus I can bet you he/she would be suspended! Why should it be ok then for parents to do it then? It is ridiculous and irresponsible, and they should be held accountable. At the very least I would want an apology.

Tell your son I am sorry for what happened to him.

 

[ozarkmom]

Yes it was poor judgment but the police don't need to be involved. As far as what were the parents thinking. Well I'm pretty sure they weren't thinking hey let's see if we can hit one of the kids on the bus in the face and leave a welt and gee if it's a special needs child that will be even better! Sorry for the sarcasm I really think having the principal send out letters or something letting the parents know that a child was hurt and this not acceptable would be sufficient.