Tracy Opinions: Support the Teachers, Principals and Staff

I just feel this is a subject great to blog about. I have had 5 in school for some time now. I have graduated children as well as kids in high school now and I have had my share of teacher meetings and principal phones calls to have an opinion here.

I certainly believe that our children do not own the right to treat teachers, principals, coaches, and school staff with disrespect. I don't care if they are feeling judged or getting unfair treatment, that's when they should go to the parent, not take care of it themselves. I believe that the adults shouldn't mistreat the children either. I believe they should remain fair at all times. But, they are human.

If you had a room of 22 students and you have a continuous problem with one student, it seems to be resolved after talking to the parents, then it starts again, and you battle with the same child every time he's in your class, well, you begin to get frustrated with this kid. You would become agitated, you would begin to be hard and cold to that same child because of the problems he/she has caused. Do I blame them, no - I blame the child without a doubt.

That teacher standing at the front of the room is due respect at all times. There should be no reasons why a child should disrespect an adult, and especially not a teacher or any school staff. If your child can't behave and allow others to learn as well as allow the adult to do their job then the child should be removed. Not because of the child, but, out of respect for the teacher or authority figure they are answering to. Children need to learn that no matter what they do, they must answer to someone for the rest of their lives. Even if you choose not to work and/or continue education you will have to answer to yourself. They need to learn that happiness is their responsibility, it's not up to someone else to make you happy. Being happy comes from finding yourself, it's not something you read from a book, it's finding out who you are inside.

Teens really struggle here. They are to the point where they feel they can make their own decisions, that they can act like adults now by cussing, smoking, doing drugs, drinking, and the list goes on and on. I started smoking when I was 16, because I thought I was grown and could do that. Now, hindsight, 20 years later, I wish I would have never started. The try things and develop habits around this time allot of times. You may or may not be able to control that. I was a mother that said never.

My child will never do this or that, but, they have sure done this and that. The one thing my children have managed, is not having children too early. I am so proud of that. I believe that they will bring me grand babies. I just know they will. I can't wait to have them to spoil rotten. But when they are ready, not when I am ready.

I have pulled a child from a school because of the child not the school. Don't be ignorant and think that its the school responsibility to make it work for your unruly child. Think about it. Don't look at it your way - take yourself out. Think of a friend and their kids, if it were them and your friend asked advice, what would you tell them? What would you do if it were any other child? Think about that. It's the truth - just pure honest truth.

I have always made it to where the teachers and principals have been free to call and tell me about the kids and I was on their side. I heard my child's side too, but if it were any other way - I feel that the child has feelings, stand for what they believe in, but for things that matter. Not something stupid like not being about to walk around throw up to get off the bus, that's ignorance. It's not worth fighting over. They have to learn what to stand up for and that would not be it.

I am proud of my babies. I love my babies. But, my babies are not perfect. They make mistakes. They fall and have to be helped up. But, I also know that my babies have accomplished many wonderful things and I look forward to all that they will accomplish in the future.

I am glad my children are not perfect, I am glad they make mistakes, I am glad that they fall and learn when they get themselves up and back on the right track. They learn on their way up and down. They remember where they comes from. I look forward to the future with my angels and angels to come.

But, don't be a fool. Sometimes you must respect the adult in authority to your child be removing the child from them to stop the constant problems with your child. If your child can't act correctly, that's not the schools fault or problem. It's your battle and its your child's battle.

Don't get me wrong, I know that there are times when we must stand up for our children, I am not dumb, I know that there are times to fight. But, make sure first. Don't let your child make you look dumb. I have learned that clearly. I have went in to fight for them and been made to look stupid because I was wrong and it was the child after all. So, investigate, hear from both sides - but, by all means - respect the school staff because if you don't, how will you expect the children to do it?

Okay, stepping down off the soap box...