Teenaged parental angst

[jay]

Created by a phone call from the school... James apparently skipped 7th period (French class). Which I haven't yet discussed with him, because he is bicycling home after band practice and a youth group meeting and is late... he was supposed to be home 40 minutes ago, before sunset. Now it is after dark, he has no headlamp, and patgreene has gone out looking for him... sigh. I hope he's careful, wearing dark clothes on a bike after dark with no lights... and then there's the skipped class issue...

[Update: he was located, his meeting changed location and ran late. Not before Pat was scared after seeing ambulances attending a struck pedestrian, on her way. Penalty for being late: he must clean the kitchen and loses $20 from his account...]

Comments

[deedeebythebay.livejournal.com]

I'm glad he's home and safe. I really am. I know how scary that can be. The following is mere suggestion/experience/things I've been taught. They are worth what you paid for them. *hugs*

Something I've read and my foster mom taught me, never ever use housecleaning chores as "punishment". Loss of privileges, loss of the freedom of self-transport, loss of gatherings, these are more influential. The monetary punishment is good.....that one I got from a "Christian" disclipline manual ages ago and it worked well when they were younger (owing me five cents and ten cents depending on the offense).

The chores...well, they should be regular and part of family maintenance/cooperation anyway. I honestly forget all the reasoning why they shouldn't be used as punishment except that then when it is time for chores to get done they are viewed as an onerous duty instead of a way to be cooperative and helpful.

Seems we're all having kid joy in the last 24!!!!