Book 'em Danno

One of the young men involved in the cell phone fiasco has owned up to his participation. I commend him for taking this step. It is a good sign. Remorse is good. The fact that his father wants him to apologize to my son and myself is commendable. This young man might not know this now but his father may have possibly prevented what could have been his bleak future. It is amazing how character is built when you are held accountable for your actions. Job well done, Papa Bear!

Brandon learned the accountability lesson early. When he was in 1st grade he and another child decided they would just hang in the boy’s room after recess to skid on the their knees. It was one of those situations that you look back and ask your self ‘What was I thinking?’ I can actually see your head shaking in confirmation - I know, we all have at least one of those stories. It took the teachers ten minutes to find the missing boys. I was made aware of the situation when I picked up Brandon from school. I marched him into the classroom to apologize to both of his teachers for wasting their time. I assure you, he will never forget that. Message received.

My daughter Kristina on the other hand … now that is a different story. We were in a party supply store and she kept eying this plastic clown on a pick that was used to stick on the top of a cupcake. She was about 8 years old. When we got in the car and drove off she took the clown out of her pocket. I was astonished and asked ‘Did you take that from the store?’ She hung her head and quietly said, ‘Yes’. I then proceeded to read her the riot act and told her I was going to march her back into the store and have her confess to the manager of the store. She decided she wanted no part of that plan and threw the clown out the window. I was so flabbergasted that we did not return to the store (I should have). To this day she laughs when she recalls this incident. That kind of mischievous laugh. Thankfully, she grew up to be a law abiding citizen.

Hopefully, this chapter of middle school is coming to an end. Confession received. Book ‘em, Danno.