As I was walking out of dropping Douglas off at pre-school, pushing Keanna”s little pink buggy, I looked over to notice what appeared to be a 12-year-old boy. He was standing in the middle of the school yard screaming, “I don”t want to,” at his mother who was telling him to go to class as she walked to her car and drove away. Is this a picture perfect moment for school truancy? I think so.
If that were me, I would have grabbed his arm, walked him to the office, got a late slip and walked him to class. It never ceases to amaze me at what people allow their children to get away with.
Yes, I allow my children to dye their hair, get piercings and wear ripped clothing. However, my children are doing very well in school, some on honor roll, never truant, do their chores and homework. Yes, they talk back from time to time but they would never dream of yelling at me like that, not in private, definitely not in public.
I have no problem spanking or grounding. Yes, they are all my little angels but they get punished and I raise them, not the nanny or the TV or the teacher; me, their mom.
People wonder why the youth of today is failing. Well how about we not make spanking illegal or take away the rights of parents.
There is a fine-line between punishment and abuse, but there is a line and we should be able to stay on the punishment side without feeling as if we are going to be drug over to the abuse side by big brother.
My children will succeed in life and go far because they are met with a healthy balance of respect and freedom to be themselves. Yes, they get in trouble, but in comparison, what they do is nothing and I am so proud of them for that.
I have seven children and they are all in public school and doing well. The gods have blessed my hand in parenthood and I am thankful. But to those who wonder why your children disrespect you and others, look at how you let them speak to you and how they act toward authority.
Maybe it”s time to make a change. No age is too late.
Joanna McKinley
Clearlake
