Parents need to keep an eye on their children
How many of you remember those “little bundles of joy” we had? We cooed over them and made faces at them and watched all the little movements they made. Then they started to crawl around getting into everything; doing all those funny things we would laugh at and show off their little acts to our friends. Then our little ones started to walk and really entertain us, we would laugh and say, “Oh, isn’t that cute.” These “little bundles of joy” were doing everything to get our attention. Still, we thought it was funny and did not correct them. They would hear words come from their parents that should never have been said in front of them in the first place. Oh, how cute, did you hear what he or she said.
Then comes the day off to kindergarten they go, the teacher makes him or her sit down and listen, pay attention so they can learn and what comes our of the “little bundle of joy”? “I can do what I want you –.”
The parent says, “Not my child, he or she would not say that. You better not ever lay a hand on my child or I will have you arrested.” So he or she goes on to grade after grade, continuing their cursing and destruction, knowing that, “My parents said, ‘Don’t lay a hand on me.’ ” The teachers’, the principals’, and superintendents’ hands are tied, all because way back that paper that was sent home with children (I think they still do this), asking, “Do you want your child punished? If so mark ‘yes’ or ‘no’.”
What did you mark? I marked “yes,” because they are in the school’s care. That is why we send them there and when they do something that is wrong, such as knocking over chairs or spitting at another child, they should be taken to the principle or even disciplined in front of their class. We as parents make a very big mistake saying, “They better never touch my kid.”
Surprise your kid one day and visit the class to see you angel’s behavior. Sit on the school bus and see how they act up. Prove to yourself if “my child” is as bad as they say, or are they just picking on him or her?
Get off your duff and see what the problem is. Don’t sit back and say, “No, my ‘little bundle of joy’ would not do that.” We better get back to those old-school days; when we sent our children to school to learn, not cuss out the teacher, spit on the teacher or knock over the desk. If you need a baby sitter, don’t send them to school.
We have turned over so much of our discipline over to the government that schools, parents and police cannot touch or discipline the child. We as parents need to tell the government to get out of our business. There are times when our court system and government should step in, but they turn their backs.
We have bullies that run the schools and streets – and now the people, old or young. These kids are not older teens; they are those “little bundles of joy” that are now 2, 3, 4 or 5 years old, or in their early teens. Parents need to be parents, not sit back and let the children do whatever, or expect someone else to have to put up with the abuse of the youngsters.
Let the schools do their job of teaching and correcting when needed. Keep your nose out of the school. If you as a parent feel your child is not at fault and the school is picking at or on your child, then home school them. Leave those who are serious about learning alone, to be taught and not have a teacher simply be the baby sitter for your “little bundle of joy.”
Ruth Dolan resides in Brownsville.