Monday, April 30, 2012

Growing Trend - Are Parents Unable to Parent?

Over the past few years, I’ve been noticing a growing trend.  Let me know if you’ve been seeing this too.  The trend I’m seeing is the inability for parents to parent their child.  Now, I know that not every parent falls into this category, but it is now becoming a rarity that a parent will actually give a consequence and stick to it.

Too many parents are making excuses for their children.  I see this when I give a consequence in class for poor behavior.  Many times, but not always, I receive emails, notes, or phone calls explaining away the behavior.  Well then, of course the child keeps exhibiting the poor behavior because the parents are allowing it.  
What happened to holding children accountable to their actions?  What’s going to happen when these kids enter high school, or get a job?  If parents don’t stop shielding their children from accountability, children will never learn how to be responsible adults.

I would love to see this kind of scenario in my class.  Instead of a parent sending an email that reads, “I’m so sorry that Johnny was talking out loud in class.  He’s such an outspoken boy and just gets very excited.”   Rather I would love to see this kind of note, “I apologize for my child’s poor behavior.  We have spoken to him about this and he received a punishment at home.  We hope this kind of behavior does not continue.”

Is anyone else noticing this?
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