Teachers. Parents. Coaches.

I do not recall my parents ever defending me when I was naughty in school, on a team or in any social setting. I was a nightmare at home (so I’ve been told), but I was always expected to be respectful. And just like my parents, if my kids are in trouble at school or the like, they are doubly in trouble at home. I don’t do any sorta smack downs or corporal punishment and the soap in the mouth thing only creates blissful bubbled laughs here. But there’s no negotiating. If I’ve run them like dogs and they’re still mouthing back, then you can bet your behind you’ll be losing some pretty important plans or special items.

Continually I am baffled at the number of parents (everywhere) who march into principal’s offices, teacher’s rooms or contact coaches about their child’s rights or some sort of “fair-factor.” This is not Belmont-wide, this is country-wide. What happened to respecting the adults who are teaching our kids, the ones who volunteer their time and get paid crap, if anything at all (ie; coaches)? They’ve been trained (we hope), so let them do their job.

When (certain) parents are disrespectful to the adults teaching our kids, in front of kids, doesn’t take a rocket scientist to elucidate what kind of lesson is being taught? When there are rules, respect them. When you are told not to bring your dog on a school campus or not to park in a certain spot, do it. Yes, it’s a royal pain in the tusch (and we’re all always in a hurry) but if you don’t lead my example then best of luck to you when your kid gives the PD a word or the bird and you end up wondering “where did I go wrong?”

I used to envision that if I won the lottery I would announce, “Now I can live my dream – I can finally afford to be an elementary school teacher!” But with the way (some) parents often treat them, sadly I can’t say I have that dream anymore. Not sure why kids think they are entitled to so much these days, but it stinks. We’ve created our own monsters, time to reel ‘em back in and regress back to Sesame Street and learn about ways to be kind.

Maybe the ‘ole ruler on the knuckles should be reintroduced?

Welcome any thoughts, I have (sorta) thick skin.