What a day...

[Veronica]

He's been suspended for a day. Mom feels I'm to blame because I wouldn't let him go to the office with a headache. Funny, he didn't seem to have a headache when he went running outside to play at recess.

Whatever...

He's got a lot of stuff going on in his life, but pretending to shoot someone is never okay. I don't care how messed up things are.

veronica

[Crankin]

This would have been a long term suspension where I used to teach. I had a kid do something similar to the principal. We had the police come, to show how serious it was. Not that it changed this kid's life, but it did send a message to the other kids. Veronica, you are lucky you can forget about this stuff when you go off riding or running.
Aggie, there are lots of messed up kids, just as there are lots of messed up adults. It shouldn't be a reason not to have kids! I am strongly in favor of staying childless if you don't want to be a parent, but hearing about this stuff shouldn't sway your decision. You can make a conscious decision to raise your kids a certain way; sometimes you have to bend your beliefs a bit while in the process, but I am glad I had mine... after thinking that I definitely did not want any for a few years.

[derailed]

Thank you for teaching. Thank you for not breaking his fingers.
I hope the school supports you, and that your phone number is unlisted.

[tribogota]

I hear you there, as a teacher myself, but also as a graduate of Oakland Public Schools in some pretty violent years...we didn't make any teacher's life easier, and I am sorry about it now.

[OakLeaf]

Phew. What Derailed said. Hugs to you V.

[solobiker]

I am sorry that happened to you. I was talking with a friend today about how things have changed. When I was young and in ES or HS nothing like that would have ever happened and if it did It definately would not have been tolerated. Gosh the worst that happened would have been a fist fight. Makes me nervous for what else could happen.

[Tri Girl]

Wow, V! You and I had a similar day. I got called a bi@ch today at school by a 5th grader. Kids have serious balls nowadays (he's getting ISS).
They were INSANE today, and we just had 3 days off from ice. If it weren't Friday I'd need more of a drink than I'm already going to have.

I'm sorry, V. We'll make it through this year. Only 4 more months. We can make it through this group of kids... I just hope we make it out without prison time accompanying it.

[Tuckervill]

I am sorry that happened to you. I was talking with a friend today about how things have changed. When I was young and in ES or HS nothing like that would have ever happened and if it did It definately would not have been tolerated. Gosh the worst that happened would have been a fist fight. Makes me nervous for what else could happen.

Seriously? You never saw a kid in school make a gun with his fingers and pretend to shoot someone?

I think what has changed is that we've grown up and it's our turn to say the same things our elders said about us.

Karen

[Veronica]

Seriously? You never saw a kid in school make a gun with his fingers and pretend to shoot someone?

I think what has changed is that we've grown up and it's our turn to say the same things our elders said about us.

Karen

Pretending to shoot your teacher because you are POed at her is not the same thing. Using the f word as you discuss the incident with the principal is not the same thing.

I would love to have you come spend a day with these kids. It is NOT the same. Many children in our schools are being raised without boundaries and they cross lines that should not be crossed.

Children have changed and parenting has changed.


Veronica

[Irulan]

Seriously? You never saw a kid in school make a gun with his fingers and pretend to shoot someone?

I think what has changed is that we've grown up and it's our turn to say the same things our elders said about us.

Karen

What's changed is that there's a 50/50 chance that today's kid is really packing heat or knows where to get some and is making a real threat.

[ilima]

He's been suspended for a day. Mom feels I'm to blame because I wouldn't let him go to the office with a headache. Funny, he didn't seem to have a headache when he went running outside to play at recess.

Whatever...

He's got a lot of stuff going on in his life, but pretending to shoot someone is never okay. I don't care how messed up things are.

veronica

It all really goes back to the parents, doesn't it? Why oh why are so many parents afraid of actually parenting?

[Tri Girl]

It all really goes back to the parents, doesn't it? Why oh why are so many parents afraid of actually parenting?

Oh it most definitely does! Let's face it: it's HARD to be a good parent- it's much easier to be a friend. Too bad we have a big portion of this generation of selfish, spoiled kids coming up who don't know boundaries.

I have to shut my mouth...

[Veronica]

Last week I had FU B!tch written on my classroom window. I would have been more impressed if they had written it backward so I could read it from inside.

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

Last week I had FU B!tch written on my classroom window. I would have been more impressed if they had written it backward so I could read it from inside.

Veronica

Wow! That's crazy. I told my teammates: I KNOW I'm a B, I just don't need a bratty 11 year old pointing that out. I guess your window writer isn't quite clever enough to write it backwards. What a pity.
I'm just glad I get to school before this group so they don't know what car I drive. They have a 1 in 70 shot of getting my car, but I'm afraid if they knew which one was mine I'd have some damage to it. And there'd be no remorse whatsoever from them.

Only 4 more months... then we'll have two months to regain our sanity.
4 more months...

[Veronica]

I'm trying very hard to stay sane through this. Working out after work and yoga before work really help.

I'm just sick of waking up at 2 AM worried about how to reach these little brats. And staying awake until the alarm goes off at 4. I've had enough of being the only one who worries about their future.

And I'm tired of the enabling. "Oh the parents are having a hard time. They're just trying to make it through each day. Things at home are really tough." When are they going to learn be responsible, both the kids and the parents?

Veronica