You may find it ironic that although a major part of my job as assistant principal is discipline, my own kids often need “extra attention” at their schools. My seven-year-old son makes spider monkeys look calm and collected. My five-year-old son is a classic bottom-smacker. He isn’t mean, he has a personal philosophy that every bottom must be smacked or No Bottom Left Unsmacked. My youngest is only two, but he already has an anarchist streak. Any time I ask him to do anything, he smiles and screams, "Never!" In summary, I often take my work skills home with me.
As I do with some SMS students, I have put in place some behavior plans to help them make better choices at school. For my oldest the incentive was getting a book, while my middle son could think of nothing better to do than play Angry Birds on my phone. This was working great...so I thought.
This past week I found out that both had been lying to me. My oldest had been coloring green on his behavior sheet when he was really earning blues, reds, and purples with orange polka-dots. My youngest was still apparently bottom smacking to the point of hand-blisters. I decided it was time for the truthfulness talk.
I sat my oldest two down and stressed that they could tell me anything and, while I may be disappointed, we would work it out. I told them the worst thing they could ever do was lie to me because this meant I wouldn’t be able to help them, or, even worse, trust them. I often see SMS kids who make poor choices and then try to lie their way out of it. Not only am I disappointed in these students’ behavior, but it also affects my trust and respect for that student. The students who come straight in and “own” their mistakes still face consequences, but these students earn my respect ( a detail which I make sure to always communicate to their parents).
You face amazing challenges every day, and you need all the help they can get. Make a commitment to face the truth head-on so you don't mislead those around you. Lying will not only keep those you care about from being able to help, but it will also seriously damage your relationship with them. And also...no bottom-smacking.
As I do with some SMS students, I have put in place some behavior plans to help them make better choices at school. For my oldest the incentive was getting a book, while my middle son could think of nothing better to do than play Angry Birds on my phone. This was working great...so I thought.
This past week I found out that both had been lying to me. My oldest had been coloring green on his behavior sheet when he was really earning blues, reds, and purples with orange polka-dots. My youngest was still apparently bottom smacking to the point of hand-blisters. I decided it was time for the truthfulness talk.
I sat my oldest two down and stressed that they could tell me anything and, while I may be disappointed, we would work it out. I told them the worst thing they could ever do was lie to me because this meant I wouldn’t be able to help them, or, even worse, trust them. I often see SMS kids who make poor choices and then try to lie their way out of it. Not only am I disappointed in these students’ behavior, but it also affects my trust and respect for that student. The students who come straight in and “own” their mistakes still face consequences, but these students earn my respect ( a detail which I make sure to always communicate to their parents).
You face amazing challenges every day, and you need all the help they can get. Make a commitment to face the truth head-on so you don't mislead those around you. Lying will not only keep those you care about from being able to help, but it will also seriously damage your relationship with them. And also...no bottom-smacking.
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