Most of the time when I make the effort to read the news it just makes me sad. Bad stuff is happening all over the place isn’t it? It’s really bloody depressing.
Sometimes though Boyfriend will read me out a story that just makes me laugh. The story in the news today about the teacher in Williton sellotaping up the mouths of their pupils because they were being noisy is one of those things that you can’t help but think could have happened to you, if only you had made one different decision somewhere in your life and become a teacher.
I know it’s wrong, of course teachers shouldn’t be allowed to go nuts with the tape willy nilly, but it’s not like she stabbed them all with safety scissors or anything is it?
However much we love them, children are frustrating, especially in large groups. I remember doing work experience when I was about 15 with a reception class. I was helping a group with some cutting and sticking and they were terrible at it. Sure they were only four, but come on, make an effort to cut in a straight line can’t you? This simple task drove me absolutely nuts and I can easily see how if I had to do it all day I would end up gluing their adorable, chubby fingers to the desks.
Let’s face it, haven’t we all at one point wished we could sellotape up our children’s mouths, just for a little bit?
I know I have.
Using Sellotape on children is just wrong. Duct tape grips tighter. #Amateurs
Author
Good tip ;-)
What worries me about this story is that this sort of thing – whilst obviously a bad plan – can happen as a bit of silliness in a classroom and the next thing you know it’s all over the news! I’ll be interested to hear how it pans out, but I suspect some teacher is about lose their career over a ‘joke’ that’s gone a step too far. I’d find it hard to believe they were gaffering up these kids torture style…
Author
Exactly. You can quite see how the kids could have thought it was hilarious to start with, and then gone home and told their parents and then suddenly become the ‘victims’. Obviously we don’t know the circumstances but it could definitely have felt like a bit of fun at first.
That sort of thing happened all the time in primary schools in the 70s…..never did me any harm !!! I feel sorry for the teacher who obves has overstepped the mark ….but really???
Author
Well quite, we’re all fine! *twitches*
I constantly wish I could tape Harry’s mouth up. At almost 4 years old he is full of questions all of the time!
Author
I’m so glad Rachel! Someone on Twitter just said something like ‘Um, no? THe thought of using tape has never occurred to me.’ – as though I was the worst parent in the world!! Not that I ever would, but we must all think about stuff like that surely??
I’ve not read the news story so am responding based purely on the theoretical but it’s funny even that it was in the news.
I’ve given up trying to tape their mouths shut, it’s far more effective to tape my own ears closed ;-)
Was listening to this on the radio yesterday,a child said ” if the tape fell of she stuck another piece on” father said “it took the skin from my daughters lips when they pulled it off” must of been bloody good sellotape if mine gets wet on a parcel it just falls off..
I certainly had moments wishing F came with a volume button so I could hear myself think, not sure if I could imagine 20 more all yelling to get my attention. Not sure whether tape was the best thought out plan though! lol x
the first comment here made me laugh out loud! i very rarely watch the news (definitely far too depressing most of the time) but stories like this are strange but kinda giggle worthy. i totally get that someone would want to do this if someone wouldn’t keep schtum ..but i can’t imagine someone actually doing it. this teacher must’ve been at their wit’s end to say the least.
This teacher isn’t the first to do it and nor will they be the last. Of course we all know it’s wrong and it shouldn’t have happened, but…. From what I heard we’re talking about kids who are old enough to just remove the tape. I’m sure many of the kids found it hilarious and can’t imagine it was taken that seriously. Slap her wrists and put it behind her. I doubt she’ll make the same mistake again.
I know, I was in two minds when I read this. At first I giggled, then I thought if that had happened to Dexter (or Flo / Indi) I’d have been up that school as if there was a rocket up my arse ;)
Anyway – if anyone’s going to be taping my kids mouths shut around here, it’s bloody well going to be me ;)
lol… don’t read/watch news… funny this made it this far!
I don’t watch the news either, it’s way too depressing but I did hear about this! I might try it with washi tape, it’s so gentle that it won’t do any harm at all ;) x
I’m so glad you wrote this. My initial thought when I read it was that I could imagine the circumstance that would lead to me doing the same, then I felt bad. Thanks for taking all the guilt away.
I’m with you on not reading the news, I feel bad that I live in a bubble but every time I do read it I feel like crying or poking out my eyes so It’s just better I don’t. I can totally imagine this headline on the front page on the Sun, kind of crazy this was news. Also I wonder on a daily basis how people can work with large groups of children, it must be so hard! x
This post really made me smile – I can totally see where that teacher was coming from, I think we have all had moments like that, although perhaps didn’t actually go through with sellotaping peoples mouths, so it is rather impressive he followed through with it. Great post
Laura x
I would be a little horrified I think if someone else did this to my child, but such resorts have crossed my mind to get anything to shut up the whinging, screaming mess on my living room floor! Luckily just walking away and leaving them to it seems to be doing the job for now…and perhaps ear plugs!
That made me laugh! I did my work experience in a reception class too and remember that frustration! x