This Mom "Gets it"

May 17, 2007 by dave

I was so impressed with this Riverside Press Enterprise story about a mother whose daughter was suspended for a bullying incident. Instead of letting her daughter sit at home watching TV, making excuses for her or complaining to the school that her daughter was treated unfairly, she made her daughter stand in front of local schools holding a sign. The sign said, "I engaged in bullying behavior. I got suspended from school and this street corner. Don't be like me. Stop bullying."

Photo by Frank Bellino / The Press-Enterprise

As my favorite radio host, Glenn Beck has observed, people today, particularly kids, have no understanding of the concept of shame. These days spent standing in front of her peers holding this sign will do more to teach her about the consequences of her actions than the suspension from school which is actually more of a badge of honor than a discipline. This discipline not only got this girl's attention, but the attention of her classmates.

Great job Mom! Help your daughter learn about shame and the consequences of her actions now while the stakes are low, rather than waiting for her to commit a serious crime. I wish more parents took their jobs as seriously.

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