I do no means no also.


Don't touch my child either.

Don't get the mama mad.

Well said.

I did a search on paddling and schools.


21 states allow paddling in schools!!

You are joking here right, dude? Do you not even see how idiotic and totally psycho your response is? Do you not even notice the oxymoron in your statement?

I haven't looked at your profile to see if you have kids or not, but if you are of the mindset that nothing you say or do to a child does not potentially mold them into the person they will become and how they react or don't react to life's struggles, you are sadly mistaken.

I may be a flower child of the 60's, but there is some validity in the song lyrics "teach your children well".

Yes, I'm editing after viewing that guy's profile and I was right - he does not have children, go figure.

Breathless,

I read it as him saying that striking a child teaches them to retaliate.

I was beaten by a drunken father growing up.

I swore I would never beat or smack or hit anyone I loved..

But, I raised three kids two boys and a girl.
Their all in their late 20's now.

I raised them to know that if they broke the rules they got a hand on their butts.

One smack or two, never anymore, never any other place.
That was done to about age 12.

Then they knew life and rules and grounding was then their punishments.

All respected the toughness of that method of order. All love me and their mother greatly.

When a parent allows their child to tell 'them' NO, or I'm NOT.

Then you have lost your child to be their own parent at what ever age 'that' was allowed.

I Never disrespected my children, nor them their mother or me.

And psychologists will differ to this belief but
life has showed me, that if I never had to worry about being spanked in school, I would have been
kicked out and probably in prison today.
The fear of having my butt tanned, kept me in check,,ALOT,wink.
Where life went wrong was when you had some sick damm teachers who LIKED to hurt kids.

I had one bang my head up against the cement hall wall.
Yelling at me while both his hands were holding on to each side of my head.
Shaking it back and forth against the wall.

I was 11 years old, then in pain and tears he pulled me back in front of the class and made me admit to something I didn't do......
HE'S dead now thank GOODNESS!!
But THAT kind of FORCE should NEVER be shown by anyone to a child.

Point taken and benefit of the doubt afforded. Thank you for making me read it twice, Winx.

Whoa you've missed the point. Strike any living creature and expect it to do what it must to alleviate fear, restore its control, and preserve itself among many other things...which might very well include retaliation considering that's a very natural and logical response--that being suppress or eliminate the threat. - Much has vast influence over the psyche of a child, and I'd say that teaching them that there are other not so natural ways to act and react, and that might be far more powerful. Move naturally in chess, and watch your pieces disappear. That is my mindset. I'm totally aware that striking a child on occasion can have its benefits , just as long as they know that it's a lesson and that it's not out of mindlessness. I never said retaliation wasn't important, but no one can disagree that it isn't abuse to some degree.

This type of corporal punishment is meant to embarrass, but humility is best learned self-taught.

Very well stated, and please read my humble retaliation and apology above as it was pointed out to me by Winx your potential intention with our post, Username. You are right, I did read to quickly and missed your point. I stand corrected, and we are on the same page.

Speaking as a teacher. There are many ways to correct a students behavior other than paddling. Our school has a very clear discipline code and the students are aware of it.

Classroom management is not a "one size fits all" situation. You are constantly assessing and reassessing the situation and the consequences. Sometimes a quiet comment to the student is all it takes. Sometimes it is no response. They are simply trying to get you to react. No reaction or an "off beat" reaction throws them for a loop.

Case in point. Gave an assignment and a student replied, "this is so gay." My response, "You are probably right."

Another student wrote a note with some very inappropriate language in it. Quietly called her back to my desk and showed her the note and the discipline code. Explained that if I went by the "letter" of the discipline code she would have 1-3 days of inschool suspension. Also explained that such language was not acceptable in school. So I gave her an a couple of options. She choose to write 6 long paragraphes about not making the right choice and having her parent sign it. On sheet I wrote in red letters- for passing notes during class with inappropriate language and not following the life skills of "common sense and respect".

The next day the paragraphes were returned with her mother's signature.

Bottom line is that paddling doesn't work. Phone calls home and record keeping does. It is amazing how parents and students respond when to a phone call home. One does get the occassional negative comment. But most of the time the response is positive.

Have e-mailed parents about behavior problems. Even have had students read the e-mail before it was sent and asked, "Is there anything in this that isn't true?" The usually respond, "No." Then it "send" with them standing there.

One simply has to find different approaches for each student. Not easy. Challenge is to be fair and equitable with the consequences. If you are they will respond in a positive manner.

I agree to most of this but still.
Two bad scenario's with calling the parents.

One}. Their dad or mom is abusive,,,the child get beat when they get home,(not a controled swat at school).
Two}. Their parent don't really care what their child does in school or out, so he or she goes home to Nothing at all....

Just my real thoughts here.

Those are two responses that are beyond our control. Do they concern us as teachers - Yes. Do we have options - to a point.

We are maditory reporters of child abuse.

We also have an Alternative Program for students who are unable to behave in a regular classroom.

And people wonder how come there is such a turn over in teaching. Without the backing of parents and the administration it can be a lonely place. Won't even get into the pay issue.

So why do I do it? Frankly sometimes that answer is a mystery to me. Other times you see a light go off and you know you've made a difference in one child's life.

Thank you for your comments Redshirt. I highly commend you and respect you for your input.

Teachers rank up there with the highly underpaid and severly dispected professions in our society, in my mind.

My ex-wife and I agreed to homeschool our children for a number of reasons, all of which I'm sure anyone can understand given our current school system demise.

However, due to our agreed divorce situation and the financial constraints this has placed upon us to co-parent in today's society, we can no longer do that and have found ourselves placing our children in *EEEGADS* the public school system.

What my ex and I have found, and have fought, for many years is that the teachings of our children is just that...OURS, not those who publically serve and get "paid" to do so. Surely, those who want and choose to teach have a calling to do so, but for them to be placed in a position these days to not only teach, but to babysit, mentor, protect, direct, mold, punish and guide their ultimate direction in life is totally obsurd.

How easy it is for some parents these days to drop their children off at the curbside, kiss and wish them well for the day, making sure they have their necessary lunch money and book bag, and expect them to be taught well, looked after, protected and honestly nurtured when the typical ratios are 20+:1 in a public school setting, and 12+:1 in a private setting.

As you can tell, this is a topic that gets under my skin. The true teachings of a child begin and end in their home setting...simple as that. Teachers should only be expected and paid to supplement those teachings, nothing more.

The breakdown in our children's society and in their futures and ours is with our own self-progressed, lackadaisical mode of parenting and not our school system, not their devoted teachers hired and whether they "paddle" or not.

Step up to the plate parents...teach YOUR children WELL. Ask yourselves when was the last time you actually read a book to them vs. plopping them down in front of the Wii to play a game alone? When did you last help them actually figure out that algebra equation vs. suggesting they look it upon the internet? Just ask yourselves, "have I become complacent and potentially lazy in my parenting on any level?"

If so, let's correct it. If not, and it's your child acting up, then correct it - at HOME, and not in school by strangers being paid to simply teach your child the basic educational skills to obtain a hopefully better than minimum-waged position.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yeah, I'm choosing to add this EDIT here, as i want to hold true to what my profile states: Mankind really IRKS me at times!!! Here, I'll say it...

75% (or more) of mankind should be neutered/spayed in today's society. I would certainly contribute my hard-earned tax dollars to that human spay/neuter clinic vs. what else my tax dollars go to these days, and we all know what I'm talking about.

So why do I do it? Frankly sometimes that answer is a mystery to me. Other times you see a light go off and you know you've made a difference in one child's life.

This one child is enough to make a life smile
forever. I applaud your wanting to make a difference.
Even if it is only a couple a year you feel have prospered through your help, patience and understanding guidence.

No one can save the world.
But we ALL can give our strength to another
in need.

Keep on being you Mr. teacher.
And spread your mind to many..

Breathless and iam4u,

Thank you.

The statistics regarding the number of students that have only one parent at home or are being raised by other members of their families are disturbing.

I teach in a middle school. At our recent Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences there were approximately 20 Parent/Students that showed up. That is only slightly over 10% of my students. And a quarter of those were Parent/Students that are in a special class I'm teaching this year on students taking acedemic responsibility.

It is unfortunate that we don't value education in this country. We won't even get into the challenges we face with students who come from other countries who do not speak English and the challenges that are faced.

Take a moment and let your child's teacher know you appreciate what they are doing. I guarentee you it will make their day.

Know it has made mine when a parent/guardian says "thank you".

Dear redshirt,
If I were president, all teacher's who do a good job would be paid enormous salaries. millions! After all they help form our mosy valuble assets. The ceo and cfo types would get the same wage as the lowest paid employee of their company. This would fix the economy very quiclky!

Hey Red, TY, your job is tuff.
And parents are a dying mutual relationship.
Now we have same sex parents, single parents.
and drug ed out parents.
GOOD parents can be any walk of this world.
Including all the above.
But it pisses me when I see anyone choosing "their"
lives over the lives of their children they helped to bring to this life.
To do that, have a child.
Is to be responsible for that child until age eighteen. Then the rest of their lives be their best friend, at least,wink.

You sir sound like one of the good guys in this world. I hope through you future adults will really care to.

MY MOM USED TO BEAT US WITH HOTWHEEL TRACK
I DONT HOLD ANYTHING AGAINST HER, I JUST MADE UP MY MIND I WOULDNT DO THAT.
I HAVE GIVIN MY KIDS SWATS ON THE BUTT WITH OPEN HAND AND NO MORE THAN 2.
I JUST DONT REALLY CARE FOR THE FACT THAT MY MOM HAS TRIED TO TELL ME HOW I SHOULD DISCIPLINE MY KIDS.IVE GOT GOOD KIDS AND I BELIEVE THEIR MOTHER AND ME HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB RAISING THEM.