STOP!

I heard a story in which a teenager snuck out of his home, took his mother’s car without permission, and got into an accident. The family car was damaged and another car was also damaged. He got a traffic ticket. His parents paid for the traffic ticket and were grateful that they had automobile insurance to cover the costs of all the repairs. There were no consequences for this teen. He did not have to apologize to the other people for what he did to their car. He did not have to earn the money to pay the traffic ticket.

This youth learned that if there is a problem, there will always be someone to take care of it. He did not learn to be responsible for himself. His parents may have meant well, but they were not preparing him for the real world. You may have students like this in your classrooms, students who think they can do whatever they want to do whenever they want to do it. This has to stop. Students have to be prepared for the real world which has rules and consequences for breaking those rules.

Help prepare students to be more responsible adults. Have rules in your classroom. When children engage in inappropriate behaviors, teach them more appropriate behaviors. Sometimes, they really do not know. Teach them to be respectful of others, of their property, and of themselves. Start by being a role model of appropriate behavior. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln