And Then The Teacher Said Something That Horrified Me

Last Monday, we had Parent/Teacher Conferences. We decided that I would go while David stayed home with the 3 small ones because the conference was scheduled for pretty much right after school, and everyone is snack crazy around that time. I grabbed my things and headed out the door, hoping to hear good things.

I got to the school and headed into Ethan's classroom. We discussed Ethan's hatred of math. We discussed his love of reading and how impressed his teacher was with it. And, it happened, as eventually happens in the these things.....The cons.

But this time, the cons were CONS.

She said that Ethan has a problem with bursting out and screaming, "That's not fair! I hate work! I'm not doing it." And then she told me this little story.

At school one day, in the lunch line, a teacher (who happens to know David and whose daughter David went to school with) noticed that Ethan's shoe was untied. She asked Ethan to step out of the line, just for a second, and tie his shoe. Ethan ignored her. She asked again, and Ethan yelled, "No, I don't want to." She then noticed Ethan didn't have his napkin and utensils that he's supposed to have before he gets in line. She then told Ethan that he would have to go to the back of the line for his attitude and because he did not have what he needed. He groaned and yelled, "Not fair!" loudly and STOMPED to the back of the line, where he promptly jumped line in front of two teachers. They said to him, "No, Ethan, you need to go to the very end of the line." Ethan turned around and said, "But I'm hungry." They said to him, "Well, we're hungry too." Ethan stood defiantly and yelled, "But I'm hungrier!"

That is where the story ended. And then his teacher looked at me and said, "I hate to tell you this, but he has been horrible this year. His outbursts are out of control. Do you let him get away with this at home?" I looked at her in the eyes and said, "Absolutely not. I can tell you with 100% certainty that he DOES NOT get away with this kind of behavior at home."

I was mortified that she said he has been horrible. I was beyond humiliated. There are not enough words. We have taught Ethan nothing but respect. Please, thank you, excuse me. I don't know where this boy came from, but it certainly wasn't learned in this home from me.

As punishment for his rude behavior, Ethan was not allowed to go to Target and choose toys with the $30 he's been saving. He had to write and apology letter to the teachers he was rude to. This week, instead of enjoying the school lunch that he enjoys so much, he is taking a home prepared lunch. We hear his behavior has been much better, and I'm hoping it continues, as I much prefer hearing good things about my child.