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Killing Monsters
Killing Monsters: Our Children's Need For Fantasy, Heroism, and Make-Believe Violence | Gerard Jones
3 posts | 1 read | 1 to read
Children choose their heroes more carefully than we think. From Pokmon to the rapper Eminem, pop-culture icons are not simply commercial pied pipers who practice mass hypnosis on our youth. Indeed, argues the author of this lively and persuasive paean to the power of popular culture, even trashy or violent entertainment gives children something they need, something that can help both boys and girls develop in a healthy way. Drawing on a wealth of true stories, many gleaned from the fascinating workshops he conducts, and basing his claims on extensive research, including interviews with psychologists and educators, Gerard Jones explains why validating our children's fantasies teaches them to trust their own emotions and build stronger selves.
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tournevis
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Re: the death threat letter mess. I spoke to the principal. He was able to clarify things. It was the first time he had ever seen this in a primary school. The boy was interviewed on his own, then my son was brought in to be given an apology. The boy also was to write an apology, but I never saw it. My son may have shoved it in his desk or thrown it out. The boy was also suspended. A file is open and flagged, for further action if needed.⬇️

tournevis ➡️I am reassured overall. This was taken seriously and continues to be taken seriously. I was not able to confirm that the boys parents are taking actions, but the school is, so there is that. The file is flagged, so if anything happens to my son, or if the boy does anything tp anyone else, further actions.will be taken 6y
Kappadeemom That is so scary😱 6y
TheKidUpstairs Such a scary thing to have to deal with. I'm glad to hear that the school is taking it seriously and taking action. I hope your son is okay, and I hope the other boy gets the help he needs. 6y
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LauraBeth Oh man - I‘m so sorry your family is dealing with that. 💕 6y
GarthRanzz So glad to hear the school just isn‘t sweeping this under the carpet. It‘s not a joking matter any more. 6y
FlowerFairy How terrible. So sorry your family is having to deal with this. 6y
Melissa_J Wow! I‘ve just read your posts about this now. How awful for you and your family to have to deal with. I‘m very glad that the school is taking the incident seriously, and that your son is taking this well. 6y
CarolynM Glad you're feeling better about it. Hopefully this will be the end of it. 6y
tournevis @CarolynM Me too! ❤️ 6y
Jerdencon I'm glad they disciplined the other student. Hope you are all feeling better. ❤️ 6y
Hooked_on_books I can‘t even imagine. I‘m so sorry. I‘m glad the school is acting and hope the kid who did this gets some help. 6y
OrangeMooseReads I‘m glad that it was taken seriously by the school. Glad you are feeling reassured as well. 6y
tournevis @Jerdencon @Hooked__on__books @OrangeMooseReads Things are as good as they can be under the cirxumstamces 6y
LiteraryinLawrence I just went back to read the backstory on this. I have no wise words to contribute but I‘m sending love. 💗 6y
AmyG This should be taken seriously, so I am glad to read that it is. One can only hope this child learns what he actually did and the consequences of it as he is so young....and gets the help he and perhaps his family need. Sending a hug. We all want to shelter our children from hatred. Then there‘s life. 6y
tournevis @amyg @LiteraryinLititz ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
cobwebmoth You've been in my thoughts.❤ 6y
tournevis @cobwebmoth 😘😘😘 6y
Rachbb3 Wow, scary stuff. 6y
Jess7 (Hugs) 6y
tournevis @Rachbb3 @jess7 😘😘😘 6y
ghosthost I‘m glad to hear it is being taken seriously. 💜 6y
Lcsmcat Sending love. I‘m so glad the school isn‘t trying to protect themselves instead of your son, and that you‘re being listened to. ❤️ 6y
RohitSawant Yikes! Sorry your family had to deal with that. 6y
CoffeeK8 So sorry you‘re dealing with this 6y
batsy Sending ❤️ 6y
BookishTrish Glad to hear the school is taking action. Hugs @tournevis 6y
mrozzz Whoa... 😣 Good it‘s being dealt with. 6y
Rachellynnwright Gosh, what a scary and difficult situation for you, I‘m sorry. Your son is so cute and sweet looking! It‘s horrifying how cruel children can be. I just wonder, what made the kid want to write such letters in the first place? I hope his parents are taking this situation very seriously... 6y
Lynnsoprano So sorry you‘ve had to go through this. Hugs to you and your son. 😘 6y
tournevis @Lynnsoprano 😘😘😘 6y
49 likes35 comments
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tournevis
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Re: The death threat letter mess. The school principal called my husband today. The good: they are taking this vwry seriously. The bad: my husband who was never bullied had no idea what questions to ask. The principal spoke to my son and the boy in his office today. The boy was asked to explain. He was also told he was wrong and that there would be consequenses. What? IDK. The principal spoke to his parents. My son seems in good spirits. ⬇️

tournevis ⬆️ He's doing his homework and resisting like usual. He was running around the house with his fart gun like usual. He played chess with this "she's not my girlfriend" girl friend today. I'm hopeful he'll not fully grasp how serious this got. I wish I had more info, but it was better that my husband talk to the principal, since I would have screamed his ears off. I'm a bit angry about all this, you can guess. 6y
heikemarie I scrolled down to see this, I‘m sorry I missed it. How terrible for you and your sweet boy. Especially in this day and age I hope it is being taken quite seriously and that there are counselors or social workers involved too. Best wishes to you and your love bug. 6y
tournevis @heikemarie As I said, my husband did not know what questions to ask and the principal was limited on what he could say about the other boy. Frustrating. 6y
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heikemarie @tournevis Yes, extremely frustrating :( maybe another meeting is in order once you and husband have had time? I k ow they can‘t say much about the other kid but you have a right to feel safe from this kind of thing too. Just absolutely horrendous. 6y
xicanti I'm so glad your son's doing okay through all of this. 6y
CocoReads How absolutely awful that you and your family have to go through this. It looks like your son will bounce back but how terrible. Hugs 6y
tournevis @heikemarie I intend to call the principal Monday. When I'm not seething. 6y
tournevis @xicanti Me too. This is a nightmare. 6y
Jerdencon I'm glad your son is doing well... kids can be very resilient. Might be helpful to maybe ask for your son to see the guidance counselor for a few visits just to give him an outlet if he needs it. ❤️ 6y
CarolynM The most important thing in all this is your boy's wellbeing so if he's feeling happy and secure that's a great relief. If you have questions your husband can't answer I think you are well within your rights to contact the Principal yourself (he really should have requested a meeting with both of you). You need to feel confident that your child is safe. Stay strong. Hugs to you all❤️ 6y
SomedayAlmost Glad they are taking it seriously. 6y
JoScho Thanks for updating us. Glad your sweet boy is in good spirits and the school is acting accordingly. That is not the kind of thing to take lightly. It also should be red flagged in his file and follow him throughout his school years. Keeping your sweet family in my thoughts. ❤️ 6y
megt Glad to hear your son is doing okay in all of this. Keeping your whole family in my thoughts. 6y
OrangeMooseReads So glad he seems to be doing well. Hope you and you family are able to relax and have a good weekend. 6y
TricksyTails Happy your son is well and in good spirits. What a horrible thing to go through. Will continue to keep you and your family in my thoughts. Hugs and love to all of you. 6y
tournevis @Jerdencon @carolynm @SomedayAlmost @JoScho @megt @OrangeMooseReads @TricksyTails I will be talking to the principal Monday, and will be keeping an eye on my son's reactions. One day at a time. ❤️💜🧡💛💚💙 I love you all. Thank you for your support. 6y
alisiakae I am so sorry this happened to your son. Has the school only spoken with him when the other child was in the room? You absolutely have the right to request a meeting with the principal, and you could ask that the school counselor and his teacher also be present at that meeting. Big hugs to your family. 💕 6y
tournevis @4thhouseontheleft Yes, as far as I know. I will be speaking to the principal Monday, so I will get more info then. My husband took point, because I was in no state to be civil, but never having been bullied ever, he did not know what to ask or look for. I know what to donnext when I speak to him. The school seems to be taking this seriously, but there are still unknowns. 6y
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tournevis
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Sorry everyone for being even more silent than usual yesterday and again today. Would you believe that my sweet and quirky 8yo son and his close girl friend, both Asians, got a death threat letter yesterday? From a fellow 8yo. How is that even possible!?! The school is taking action and the boy's parents are involved. Specific attention is given to this and they have *security* involved. They are *eight* years old!!! Yes, I'm freaking out.

callielafleur How awful. Big hugs for you all. ❤️ 6y
JoScho Kids can be so mean. I am sorry you and your family have to deal with this 😔 6y
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tournevis @JoScho I'm freaking out. This is actually worse than just being 'mean'. I just wish it was just being mean. 6y
Jerdencon How awful... I'm so sorry - hugs to all of you. 6y
Smangela I‘m so sorry :( sending much strength you and your family and friends way! I can‘t come up with the right words to try to send comfort but we‘re all thinking of you ♥️ 6y
LibrarianRyan OMG!! WTF!! That is so not right. And at such a young age. Take care of your beautiful babies. Send love and hugs. 6y
batsy I don't even know what to say. I'm sorry that these lovely kids are exposed to so much hate from a fellow child 😔 6y
CarolynM Beyond belief! There are no words for situations like this. Strength, peace, love to both families ❤️❤️ 6y
MicheleinPhilly Crikey. Why are humans so consistently awful? I‘m so sorry that you have to go through this. Sending you and your family ❤️. 6y
JoScho @tournevis you are right. How is your son holding up? 6y
Redwritinghood That‘s insane! Sorry to hear that. I hope it‘s appropriately dealt with. 6y
Jabberwocky Oh my god I am so sorry that your family and son are having to deals with that. Love from afar 💛 (edited) 6y
DeborahSmall That‘s awful! Sending love and hugs ❤️ 6y
BookishTrish I would freak out too. So sorry you all have to go through that. Big hugs. 6y
8little_paws WHAT. WHAT. I can't even wrap my head around this. Soooooo much love to you and the kids. 6y
cobwebmoth That's so awful, and scary. Big hugs to you. 6y
xicanti This is horrifying. I'm glad the school's taking it seriously. 6y
squirrelbrain What is the world coming to?! How does an 8 year old even know how to do something like that? Sending hugs to your son and his friend ❤️❤️ 6y
OrangeMooseReads 😲😲🤬 I don‘t have words. ❤️ 6y
Kaye Good grief. So terribly sad. I keep wondering why kids have so much anger or hate in their hearts. Has to be a learned trait. So sorry. ❤️ 6y
Shemac77 That‘s absolutely awful. Lots of love to you and the kiddos. 6y
LibrarianJen How does an 8 year old even know what a death threat note is? I can‘t even. I‘m so sorry you‘re going through this. I hope that nothing comes of this, that your son and his friend are safe, and that the other kid gets the help he needs. Hugs and love your way. ❤️ 6y
megt I‘m so sorry this is happening. Sending love and hugs your way! 💕 6y
CouronneDhiver That is so crazy... how does a little boy/girl have so much anger built up already? Incredibly sad. 6y
tournevis @CouronneDhiver I hope, HOPE, the boy's parents won't try to dismiss this. Because that kind of ideation is serious. 6y
LeahBergen What??? That‘s horrible! Hugs to you. ❤️❤️ 6y
rabbitprincess OMG that is awful and seriously messed up. Hope the intervention can nip those nasty ideas in the bud and that your son and his friend are OK. 6y
Lcsmcat OMG! I‘m so sorry you‘re dealing with this! Hug your sweet boy from me. ❤️ 6y
ghosthost I‘m so sorry that happened to your son. I hope he and his friend are okay. 6y
TricksyTails I am just now reading this. I am so sorry. This is terrible! This just makes me so sad that this happened. Sending love to you and your family. 6y
britt_brooke This is infuriating! I‘m so sorry you guys are dealing with this. Kids can be so cruel. 6y
AmyG I am so sorry this happened to your beautiful boy. My daugter is a school counselor...you‘d be surprised the things that happen. But it seems that the right people are now involved and hopefully his gets resolved. Most important thing is your son. Hope is is doing well. How frigtening. (edited) 6y
tournevis @AmyG *huggles* Actually, I would not be surprised. Where my husband is completely ignorant, I have a lot of experience. ❤️❤️❤️ 6y
41 likes39 comments