Entry FeedToday I got my first ever phone call from the principal at my sons' school. I may mark Son One's first crime in his baby book.
First she said, "Don't worry. The boys are fine."
Then she launched into her story. A girl from Son One's class was eating pretzels at recess (let's call her "Kay"). When Kay put the bag of pretzels down, a boy from my son's class grabbed the bag and ran away. The principal said that my son, along with a few other boys from the class, then ate the pretzels. As their punishment tomorrow they would all be staying in from recess.
I am shocked! Son One doesn't even like pretzels! I was torn between standing up for him and punishing the heck out of him for getting involved. Instead I just said, "I appreciate your call. I will speak with him when he gets home."
Son One has this habit of following other boys, even when he knows it is wrong. I explained that when his teenage friends decided to steal a car, if he was with them then he would go to jail, too. Fear isn't a bad thing, is it?
He was very upset when we talked about it. I know he knows that he did something wrong, I just don't know how to give him the tools and the strength to walk away. Son One thought that as long as he didn't take the pretzels, and he didn't eat the pretzels, he wouldn't be in trouble. How can you really expect a 7 year-old to stand up to his friends? I am trying to teach him just to walk away. (Next time he may decide just to eat the pretzels - if you are going to do the time, may as well do the crime.)
His punishment at home included no TV tonight, he had to finish all of his homework (due Friday) and he has to give the girl a bag of pretzels (that he will pay for) tomorrow and apologize.
His remorse has made for a peaceful evening at our house.