It is hard to tell if you are getting through to your kids these days. It’s hard to tell if your parenting and guidance is sinking in.The first time a pink slip was sent home, in my sons’ booksack was when he was in the 1st Grade. It indicated I had to meet with the principle. Great, the kids 5 years old and I am already having to meet the principle. I found out that my son had gotten in an altercation at school with two 3rd graders. The principle grinned at me and told me the story. These 3rd graders decided to pick on his friends. Well, my sweet little bundle of joy, sent those bullies crying to their teachers.
The principle, still grinning, said, “Your son is not in trouble. Your son didn’t hit anybody. He just choked them in a headlock until they went away.”
”Your son then looked up at me,” and said. “You don’t hit at school and you don’t back down from bullies.”
That’s my boy. I believe some parenting is getting through to him.
About 5 years later he had an encounter at school with an unrully, aggressive, out-of-control, spoiled, militant female student. This young lady had a temper tantrum after he accidentally bumped into her. She began to rave and scream in his face loud enough to attract the attention of the police officer on duty at this inner city Baton Rouge school. The officer looked on just as the little &#%* spat in my son’s face.
Well, I got a call from the school to meet with the principle, again. She told me the story about the little &#%* that had spit in my little boys face. The principle told me that she couldn’t have contained herself if some little &#%* spit in her face and that my son should be commended. During the principle conference she told me that my son explained his non-violent response by saying, “You don’t hit girls!”
That’s right son, but there are limitations.
When he was 6 he was caught telling a white lie to get out of school. Well, he got the lecture about you don’t lie, especially to me and if he did he was going to get his butt whipped. No time-out punishment for him. It’s belt time. Sure enough the very next day he and some other neighborhood kids were throwing rocks and sticks. When I stopped them, some of the kids said the he was using the “F” word. I took one look and reminded him about our lying discussion. He simply walked in the house and bent over the couch. What a proud moment. Facing the fire like a man.
This fine young man has made it through life thus far and survived some of life’s trials and tribulations. We had a special ceremony at this years Mardi Gras parade for him. He had been a walker for the past 5 years and was too young to ride on the adult oriented float. Now that he is 18 he has earned a spot on the float and we had a graduation ceremony for him. What a proud moment. His first graduation. He won the humanitarian award, since no small animals had been killed by the float on his watch.
Last year when he walked in the parade, an unruly reveler broke through the barricades and bumped their head into the float trying to get a cup. I asked him, “Why didn’t you stop that person?” He replied, “Some people are just stupid and I ain’t getting run over by the float for a goof ball like that.”
That’s my boy. Looks like some of that parenting is sinking in. He is driving and dating now and it is time for his next education. “Son, let me tell you about GIRLS???????”
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