Saturday, December 19, 2009

Soap Box 2009

I just have to post how pissed I am at parents these days. Obviously not all parents, just ones that do not allow their kids to take responsibility for what they have done or how they act. Specifically when it comes to school.

I used to get so frustrated at my parents, especially my dad because he used to ALWAYS play the devil's advocate or take the teacher/coaches side when we came home complaining about how "unfair" they were. Maybe he did this because he himself was a teacher. Whatever the reason it taught me to take responsibility for my education and my life in general. I was forced to look at myself and reflect, even though it made me mad, on what I might have done or what I could do to rectify the situation. My parents never went to the teacher on my behalf, instead I was given the tools to deal with my problems my self. GOD FORBID, PARENTS TEACH THEIR CHILDREN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN LIVES!

One example I can remember vividly...I was in the car with my mom once again complaining about my volleyball coach (who I still love and respect to this day). My mom finally, looked at me and said, "do you want me to go talk to her?" I was mortified!!! "NO mom please dont!" Somehow in that I was convinced to talk to her myself. I know I am one of that coaches favorite mediocre players with a desire and heart, but no real talent. I wonder what she would really think of me if my mommy went down there and ripped her for whatever it was that I was mad about.

I think sometimes kids get scared and do not want to tell their parents the truth about their behavior/performance at school. And good intending parents blame teachers instead of really taking the time to find out the REAL story. Dont get me wrong, I know their are some stinky teachers out there, I had some. I had a math teacher that never taught, only gave us the problems and went back to his desk to work on wrestling stuff. I would put my book under my desk and talk the rest of the period. My mom ended up making me re-take the class in summer school. She could have went to the teacher and ripped him a new one and I KNOW he would have given me an A++++++, but my mom was trying to teach me that I was in control of my education. I could have went to an old math teacher, or tried, or asked Matt Snell for help because he was getting an A++++++ in the class. I chose not to and got a grade, that for me, was unacceptable.

Anywhooo, all this to say, most teachers work their butts off and are not in teaching to be rich. My mom goes in early and stays late and tutors on her own time...time she does not get paid for, she brings work home and worries about kids 24 hours a day. And I KNOW she is not the exception. I do not think I was the only one fortunate enough to have coaches and teachers in my life that made me a better person and still teach me. My dad used to pick kids up every morning and take them home every night after school/practice. They would call him everyday for a ride. He was a father to the fatherless and made the kid who never felt smart, feel smart for 45 minutes a day in his classroom. He went to school early every morning, opened up the gym for all his "sons" and was always available. He coached summer ball and took kids on trips for about half a penny an hour.
Most importantly these two people taught me to respect the adults in my life even if they did not deserve it and they taught me to respect myself enough to take responsibility of my education and my life. (Not that I am perfect at it, because I am not)

So thank a teacher today and PLEASE resist the need to "fix" all your kids' problems, because it usually makes it worse and it usually embarrasses them and you.

This post is in response to a couple teachers I love having to deal situations with parents, who one day will probably be calling their kids' college professors to tell them that the reason that their child miss class was because the parent forgot to give them their daily wake up call.

2 comments:

Jenny said...

Thanks Jenny. I know you already know how important your wisdom is to Henry and the new little Gelbrich. I am glad we taught you to stand on your own. I am always proud when people tell me how much they love and respect you. Your dad and I always knew one day all you girls would know why it was important to make you stand and be proud of who you are not because of us but because of YOU!

Mom

Lydia Henry said...

Once again Mom forgot to sign out. It was me. Mom