This happened to my fourth grader last year (third grade) although I think it was other boys. He shrugged it off. I mentioned it to the guidance counselor later in the year when he was having some social difficulties, but no one made a big deal about it. I wouldn't make an issue unless that kind of teasing is repeated or he continues to have problems with the classmate in question. My kids' school has a whole set of rules on "debugging" and the idea is to try to teach kids how to deal with annoying / problematic behavior on their own before always running to adults. Your kids' school probably has something similar.

Anonymous wrote:I would be less concerned with reporting it thanby making sure DS knows that "gay" is not an insult and anyone who thinks it is is mistaken.

+1

I remember the first time I heard the word 'fag.' I was around 10 and only knew that it was a vicious insult. Kids try out "bad" words without understanding the weight those words can carry in the adult world. Unless you are seriously worried about a sustained bullying situation rather than a one time stupid comment I would let it go. Kids can catch a lot of hell for being a tattle tale, so you wouldn't necessarily be doing him any favors by encouraging him to report this.

Anonymous wrote:I would be less concerned with reporting it thanby making sure DS knows that "gay" is not an insult and anyone who thinks it is is mistaken.

This

Are you serious? Fourth graders say all sort of things. Unless he's being consistently bullied, please stay out of the social lives of fourth graders.

Happy?

Anonymous wrote:Is he gay?

he's only 10. so i can't say for sure either way.

oh ok. fine then. but why did the other boys tell him to report it? guess they just love seeing someone gets in trouble?

Is he gay?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:they're in fourth grade. he told few other boys about it and they said he should report it to the counselor, but DS didn't want to coz he's 'not the tattle telling type.'

would you let it go since it's the 'first offense'?

He sounds wimpy.

DH needs to teach him to grunt.

Anonymous wrote:they're in fourth grade. he told few other boys about it and they said he should report it to the counselor, but DS didn't want to coz he's 'not the tattle telling type.'

would you let it go since it's the 'first offense'?

He sounds wimpy.

OP, helicopter much?

I would be less concerned with reporting it thanby making sure DS knows that "gay" is not an insult and anyone who thinks it is is mistaken.

OMG, get a life. Kids say things, they tease.

they're in fourth grade. he told few other boys about it and they said he should report it to the counselor, but DS didn't want to coz he's 'not the tattle telling type.'

would you let it go since it's the 'first offense'?