You may recognize that from the Oompa Loompa song in the original “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” mid-70’s version. Personally, I prefer that interpretation to the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp version that came out in the 2000’s. I’m a music lover and those songs are truly works of art. At any rate, if you know that song you know the part I left out: ” … if the kid is a brat?” Then the little people go on to say “The mother and the father.” As a teacher of 11 years I can tell you that it is not always as clear cut as that. Sometimes, you need to blame the kid.
Case in point, when kids fight some kids will blame their parents in the interrogation room stating mom or dad or both instructed, or even encouraged, them to fight back. That, ultimately, is what caused the other’’s hair to be pulled or nose to get bloodied etc. Many times they are right. We conference with the parents and find that indeed the parents have no shame coaching their child to hit back. These parents, in my experience, usually have no concept of how benign the playground is. They allow their child to control them by complaining about 6 foot tall nine year olds and such. These are the toughest parents to have as partners in the child’s education because they usually believe their child is a victim (not that some aren’t) and they usually don’t want to be confused by the calm collected facts of the situation.
On the other hand, I sometimes have kids who are always breaking the rules and being disrespectful. When I talk to their parents, it is a mystery to me why the kids are so bad. The parents seem perfect.
So who should I blame when the kid is a brat? ;)
