Chill Out...
protectchild said:
3) Moneyshot.... I assume you have no children. Because that post wasn't remotely funny
Actually I do and while I've been tempted at times I wouldn't do this. Lighten up! I was raised in a time when teachers weren't tasked to raise children but to educate them. Problems were dealt with - getting a smack on the butt from the teacher was secondary to what was waiting at home when Dad found out. And he was likely to ask "So what did you do to deserve it?" I went to Catholic school and had my knuckles smacked so often for minor infractions (e.g., rolled up cuffs) that I lost count. The nuns all had a sadistic streak but we learned to keep in line and knew that certain behaviors had consequences which we bore responsibility for. There was no nonsense about harming our psyche or self-esteem. Today's teachers are expected to raise children and turn out responsible productive citizens while parents are too worried about the kid's feelings being hurt and are ready to sue at the drop of a hat. Think about how frustrated the teacher is in having to deal with a classroom full of children with a select few "problem students" demanding 90% of her time.
Concern yourself less with being your child's best friend and try being a parent who's primary job is to raise them to be responsible and able to cope successfully in the world. I'd guess that 95% of diagnosed ADHD are simply cases of spoiled brats with over indulgent parents. Do you think that when your son enters the work world that his boss will say "How does writing a presentation make you feel?" or "It's ok that you misspelled words in that report as long as you feel good about it..."
You might try reducing the sugar and caffeine intake in your son's diet and making sure he's in bed at a decent time. Set guidelines appropriate for a his age and make sure he learns where the boundaries are about what's acceptable and what's not, both at home and in dealing with others. Tantrums are not ok, hitting is not ok, bad language is not ok. Bad behaviors are punished, good behaviors are encouraged and rewarded. It's called Parenting 101.
You still haven't answered rmet's question about his behavior after the tape came off or what he did to start this whole episode. Face it, the world's going to do a lot worse than tape his mouth shut when he faces how others react to disruptive actions. Let him learn the lesson now and see that there are consequences to his actions so he doesn't learn the hard way later. The masking tape solution seems harmless - there was no permanent damage and maybe he got the message.
FWIW, my kids are happy, well adjusted, and learning to be responsible for their actions. They know I'm always there for them no matter what but they also know that when trouble arises I'll listen to the teacher's side also about what brought it on. If they're right I'll back them up 100% and if they did wrong, the consequences at school are not all they'll face. And they have no doubt that they're loved and cherished.
I'm taking bets that before too long we'll see this poster asking questions in the Juvenile Law section...
