*soft parents (spoiling their kids)
over a week ago, 59 of our 3rd year middle schoolers left for a 4 week stay in canada. for many of them, it's the first time out of japan, so i can understand the parents worry and the kids are nervous. but i couldn't believe one of the parents today.
she came into the staff room and handed over a bag to her child's homeroom teacher, who happens to be going to canada for the last 2 weeks (leaving soon). as she left, we made eye contact and i said "hello" and she smiled and then sighed, telling me what she was doing at school today:
"my daughter lost her camera...on the first day!! so, i got on the internet and bought a new one and had it shipped quickly and had to bring it in so her teacher can take it over when he goes for her. at least she lost it on the first day before she had any photos already on the memory card!"
i think my mouth was hanging open. she just went and bought ANOTHER digital camera to send over to her daughter (asking the teacher to put it in HIS bag, which deserves an entire post altogether, as we discussed the things he's planning on taking. you wouldn't believe it!) because she lost hers and...what a travesty that must be. give me a break!
i wanted to say, "hey mom, it's called tough luck. you lose something? too bad! tell your daughter to learn to take care of and keep track of her things. you know what people did BEFORE digital cameras?! ...disposable cameras."
and you wonder why these kids don't take care of their things (the lost and found at school is out of control - you'd think they'd MISS their eraser/towel/water bottle/dictionary/pencil case/gym shorts/etc! but they don't seem to care.) everything is disposable to them. lose it, it's okay, mommy and daddy will buy another one.
yeah, it's beyond me.
is it a cultural thing? many of my coworkers have agreed that parents these days are too easy on their kids and let them get away with a lot. are american kids being spoiled rotten as well? i used to think my mom was so strict and mean, but i'm learning to appreciate the fact that she raised me to take care of the things i have and if i didn't, to learn what tough love is.
Monday, February 16, 2009
school daze: 甘い親*
posted by j. at 11:27 PM
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3 comments:
oh wow. Your teacher is so understanding! I would have suggested sear mummy courier it over. ;P I was staff on a hiking/ rafting camp with a group of princesses who proceeded to throw all their name brand hiking gear/ thrermal wear in the rubbish when we finished the camp as 'we were wearing them for 3 days, and we were SWEATY!' Another said her mum didn't want dirty clothes in her washing machine. righhhhhhhtttttt.
"Veruca Salt" type kids turn me off totally!
Branden got a hole in his gym pants 2 month's ago. Did we run right out and buy him new pants? Nope! I put a patch on his pants! Just because hubby's income is really great, doesn't mean we spend wildly. Also, we want him to know that next time... he'll learn to respect his stuff. He didn't complain at all. He's a good kid!
My son, I posted this on my blog a long time ago. But my son, (neither son) really ever loses stuff, it's rare let's put it that way. Anyway his graduation party from yochien. So last February, he lost his DS lite. He was heart broken, feeling very sorry and we called the restaurant and the karaoke place and no such luck. Did we buy him a new one? Nope, sorry dude! He went without for 8-9 month's. Last week of October for his birthday he got a replacement. For 8, almost 9 month's, he watched all his friends play one and he had none. He could use the older clunky DS regular but no lite. Between you and me, did I feel badly for my son? Absolutely, of course. But again he needed to know the expense and value of it and that is why we took so long to replace it. To have appreciation for things is important. Yeah he was embarrassed and I think it was good for him. Am I tough, yes. Not horrible but, they do have tons of respect for their stuff, as they should be, I'd say.
My kids also get the occasional spanking too, when out of line. They speak with pleases and thank you's. They are happy well rounded kids and get tons of love and gobs of attention daily. And I rarely have naughty kids because they know better and mine are only a first grader and a 3 year old.
If my kid lost their camera, I'd have them buy a disposable and just use that.
Also wanted to add....And in no way am I saying my kids are perfect, I just have to say that in here too. I have many a day where I am at wits end or pulling my hair out.
But yes, overly spoiled rotten to the core type kids. Like I said, Veruca Salt type kids. Blech!
Very nice of that teacher bringing the replacement camera.
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