Dear Parents

It may seem that I am getting old when I ask, “What has happened to the youth?” When I look at the grades in my classes I am disheartened. Students get their grade reports and when they see an F they don’t seem disappointed, upset, regretful, or any other such accountable reaction. Instead, their parents call or email me asking what happened. Obviously it must be the teachers fault because there isn’t any apparent system in place to hold students accountable for their learning. Parents laugh off the grades, say, “that’s just my little Eddie, what can we do?” BE A PARENT. That is what you can do.

When I was growing up an F was not an option. Not only was it not an option it would have been an embarrassment to me. I’m certain my mother would not have gone running to the teacher asking them what “extra” credit could be given to me. What “extra” work my teacher could do because I had obviously not done what was needed to get above failure. Instead, parents want to be their child’s friend. They want to go shopping together, get pedicures, and hear about the latest gossip. They certainly don’t want to hear the dreaded, “I hate you,” from their child because they had disciplined them.

My fear is that soon these kids will become adults and be running our country. If kids do not learn responsibility, if everything is handed to them on a platter, what kind of life and happiness will they have as an adult? When people do not learn to work and strive for what they have they will never be happy with anything. They will get out of school and expect a very high paying job with little work. Given the lack of effort in school they will not have the skills necessary to achieve any kind of good job let alone a great one.

To the parents of this world, please hold your children accountable. If they cheat on a test, don’t ask how they can make it up; teach them the difference between right and wrong and accepting the consequences for their actions. Be the parent your child needs, not the parent they want.