Quote:
Originally Posted by Socks
They have friends, and you aren't their friend. You are their parent, and the more you accept the challenge and rise to it, the more your kids will look up to you, respect you, consider what you think and take your advice.
More than anything, if you say you're going to do something, you HAVE to follow through. If you don't, then your words are, and will always be: completely meaningless.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Socks
I took him to all his Hockey, Soccer, Basket ball , even softball games. <---- Chauffer
I was the one routing for him like he was my hero. <--- heros are higher up on the food chain than lowly parents
I live in a great neighborhood, with very lil crime or if any! <--- safety net, high expectations
He also (DOES HAVE DIRT BIKES AND RIDES them with his friends in my back yard) <--- Rock star image to live up to at school
Great kid all around he's suspended for talking to much! <--- Kids don't get suspended for talking too much. They get suspended for refusing to follow the rules, repeatedly. I'm sure your son was a "great kid" to the teachers that told him to keep quiet, repeatedly. Your position on this matter scares me a lot, as you're siding with your son.
From what I've seen as an observant kinda guy, is that parents who generally side with their kids (school's fault, stupid teacher, school sucks, it isn't forever, don't talk to my son that way, etc etc) are well, bad parents. Not saying you're one, but really, ask yourself why you would back your son up after getting kicked out of school? What are you teaching him? Can you not consider that it may be his fault?
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Those are actually pretty good posts.
I can certainly say with conviction that while my own mother was my "friend", she was first and foremost my mother, my parent. Always there to listen and help me with problems, but when it came time for disipline she dropped the friend card pretty damn quick and wasn't at all afraid to mete out some old school punishment. My dad too for that matter, both had a lot of patience with us kids but were not shy about laying down the fucking law when we needed it.
I disagree with those advising to be the kid's mooshy wooshy friend. I mean really, who the fuck is in charge here, the kids or the parents? You as the parent are supposed to know what's best for your kids, and sometimes no amount of talking to them like a friend is going to work. I'm not suggesting anyone kick the shit out of their brat, but some creative tough love is definitely in order here.