Overprotective....?

Common sense.  Prudence. Good judgement. Discernment. Wisdom

All things missing from my son's middle school social studies teacher.

Let me put this out there first off. September 11th was horrific! A day that should never EVER be forgotten. It was awful and unbelievable and mortifying all at the same time. I am not one to shelter my children from what happened that day.

They know that planes were hijacked by people who hate America. They know that some people died a horrible death. They know there were people who jumped out the windows of the WTC. They know there were courageous men and women who became heroes that day. Many of them dying. The loss was huge. One of the worst in American history.

My kids understand this.

All of them came home last week talking about the discussions they had in their classes. My younger ones had talked about it in their classes. My older two had watched videos. Kyla had watched the same video that we have at our house.

My son, however, watched a different video. A very different video. One that was going to be lasting more than 3 days. One that I am pretty sure I would NEVER have let him watch. I rarely let my children watch any PG-13 movies that I haven't previewed first. I have made a few exceptions, but they are few...very few and far between.

So when he came home telling me about his movie, I was a little disturbed. He told me about hearing the F-word over and over and over again. We don't use that language in my house and neither do most of the people that we hang out with, so to hear it repeatedly was noticeable for him. I am pretty sure the F-bomb puts any movie into the PG-13 rating.

But that's not even the worst part.

This film showed dead people. We're not talking about Hollywood's version of dead. We are talking about real people, recently dead people. Their bodies. Their faces. Eyes open and all. I have not seen many dead people in my lifetime, but the few that I have seen are seared into my memory. 

My son added that you could hear bodies hitting the ground in background. And he knew it was bodies because the camera guy said they were just falling from the sky. 

My question is this. Why do we need to expose our young ones to so much so young? I mean, really? I get teaching the tragedy of the attacks. But there are videos that show the tragedy without showing everything. And to me, that video was over the line.  

Maybe I'm over-protective, but it's my right to be that way. I don't see a need to have that age group listen to foul language, no matter the situation. It will only promote it. Secondly, once those images and sounds are in their heads, they will not ever leave. I wonder if he even thought about that.

It's one thing if he wants to show it to his own children. His prerogative. But he doesn't have that right to show highly inappropriate not to mention unnecessary disturbing videos to my child...not without my permission.

Yes, I called the principal. No, she wasn't aware of the video. Yes, she would take immediate action. The principal was great about it. She agreed with me.

Do you? Would you have a problem with that?

All you are is...mean.

If you are a professional, I would expect you to behave like a professional. Am I wrong here?

I don't care how old you are. I don't care your field. I don't care how much I am paying you. You have the obligation to treat me, your customer with respect. This requirement is magnified the moment I place one of my children in your care.

This summer, my oldest joined the swim team in our community. It has been such a great experience for him. We encouraged  him to join because we knew it would be a confidence booster for him. We figured because it is such an individual sport and yet still a team sport it would be perfect for him.

You see, my oldest is very tender hearted. A better friend you will not find because he is genuine. He asks you a question because he really wants to know more about you. He is keenly aware of others feelings and doesn't want to hurt anyone. Great guy.

The flip side is that he isn't aggressive...at all. He struggles with this because so many boys his age are. They are much more competitive and rough and less considerate of others. He is willing to let others win just so they will feel good about themselves.

This is why when we heard about the swim team, we signed him up. And like I said, it has been great.

Today, however, when I pulled up to the pool to pick Kobe up, he was really quiet. Unusually quiet. I looked at him and asked, "Hey. What's up? Is everything okay?"

"I guess I am a baby," he replied, tearing up.
"What? Who told you that?" I asked, feeling the temperature in my blood start to rise.
"The assistant coach," he sniffled out.

I asked him to explain what happened.

**It is important to note that for the past week, they have been swimming with jeans so that when they compete, they will be much stronger.**

Well, today, for whatever reason, Kobe was having a hard time. Maybe it was because he swam in six different events Saturday. Maybe it's because he had his trunks on under his pants. Maybe it's because he is still getting over being sick. Maybe I am giving him too many excuses. But for whatever reason, it was really hard for him today.

Doesn't everyone have an off day? We are allowed that, right?

Apparently the assistant coach didn't think so. She started yelling at him, "Come on, you baby! Stop being a baby!!" She said this more than once.

These are children.

They aren't college students who have developed thick skin. They aren't high school kids who couldn't care less what you say because they know more than you anyway. No. You are working with impressionable kids who take what you say to heart. Some of them literally.

It's one thing to come from a peer. It's totally different to come from an adult. But it is absolutely unacceptable to come from a professional. Do you not know the difference between encouraging and degrading? Surely you know it does nothing in building their confidence.

I assured him that he wasn't a baby. The problem was not his...it sounded more like it was hers. Perhaps she hadn't learned that degrading others was not considered motivating.

You can bet that I will be at the pool tomorrow. Keeping an eye on that gal. Most likely speaking with the head coach.

Am I overreacting? Would you be upset? What would you do? 

Really, what should I do?

Look! It's a family! A BIG family!!

I am back. Like really back. As in I'm having a party at my house tomorrow to celebrate my return.

Okay, not really. I am not that vain. But I am having a party. A salad recipe exchange party. Wanna come? Who sets up a party a day and a half after they get home from vacation? I must have had the May haze going on when I suggested that date.

I'm excited about, though. Recipes that you get to taste before you make them. Whoot! 

But that is not what I was wanting to blog about. So why am I? Moving along...

The first day of our trip was surprisingly easy, despite me only sleeping three hours the night before. My kids didn't fight at all! (Liar!). Okay, so they fought a little. But that was to be expected. Oh, yeah and I almost forgot that Briggy got the runs 3 hours into the trip. We had to pull over every 30 minutes for about 2 hours hours, but once the banana made its way through his system, we were good.

After being in the car for 15 hours, with 5 kids, on three hours of sleep, we were so ready to get to the hotel. I checked us in while Hubs unloaded the van and then we all came dragging into the lobby. Okay, so Hubs and I were dragging in. I think a more appropriate description of  my kids would be bouncing. Again, 15 hours in the car.

The people at the front desk just stared at us. (They may have actually been counting because I may or may not have told them there were only 3 children. What? We needed to stay in the same room.) But one guest looked at us, laughed and asked, "What'd you do? Bring the whole preschool? Hahahaha."

He was making a funny.

Funny thing is, I was too tired to come up with a smart remark equal his funny-ness. Only, at that moment, I wasn't feeling funny. Come to think of it, I don't think I could feel anything but tired. I kid you not, every single person we passed on our way to the 4th floor had a comment about our family.

Really?

Have never seen children or just not that many children in one elevator? Yes, they all belong to us. No, we don't run a preschool. And I would rather have my hands full than empty, thankyouverymuch.

See what I'm saying. I was tired. 

And he was rude.

Party anyone?