"[the mother] says after [her son] had repeated problems with talking in class, officials at Schaumburg Christian School gave her a choice, either spank [him] or he'd be suspended for a day."

and

"He says parents are never forced to spank kids, but if bad behavior escalates they may be given a choice between suspension or spanking."

story

Ok, if these facts are true, she was given a choice ,as she stated herself. Considering, as said in the OP, the child had racked up multiple bad behaviors type issues, I don't think a choice of a spanking or a day of suspension is that terrible. I think there has been some major overeacting here on her part.

I do believe in spanking, but only in extreme cases of bad behavior that could be dangerous.....exapmple, running out into the street recklessly (5 year old) who is laughing about doing it. I would never spank due to school issues. I have no problem taking the suspension and making sure my child knows why he/she is not in school, and not allow a "day off" day.

Besides, maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it sounded like she knew he had behavioral issues, if that is the case, she was involed to some extent and had not handled it enough to change the boy's behavior.

You're right. What's the big deal about a one day suspension? In the article I read though it made it sound like the school was really pressuring her. Telling her that a suspension would look terrible on his records. There are probably a bunch of private schools in the country that wouldn't call her at all. They'd just spank him at school. I disagree with the school, but I don't really get the media frenzy. Canada doesn't have these problems. Spanking isn't legal anywhere there.

Could the mother bring in a proxy to beat her child? Maybe a Nun working late shift?

Well if she goes to schools in the future that won't accept her child because of this, then she is going to the wrong schools. It's either that you subscribe to the schools ways, taking actions as laid out by the school or you don't and you take him to a school that better matches the feelings and needs of the family.

Now if the child is acting out like the spawn of the devil (I'm not saying he is, but really he's got into a lot of trouble here), then who the heck wants him in their school if the mother won't take responsibility of properly (not neccesarily spanking) disciplining him? Really, what message did she just send her son by just pulling him out of school without facing any kind of discipline either way? Can she really learn to home school in 3 weeks before she puts him in public school after they move? hmmmmmmm

leaving my soap box now.....so sorry

Obviously there was some info left out of the original story I read. Not surprised. Damn news with it's partial news stories.

Great idea! :D


Perhaps "The Penguin" from 'The Blues Brothers' or Sister Anna Maria from my youth.

Who says he didn't face any discipline? We don't know what went on at home. In the article that I read the mother said that the child had been misbehaving since her recent divorce and that they were working on correcting it. His offenses, while innappropriate for school, didn't seem that major. It's not as if he was physically acting out towards other children. His listening skills were off and he was chatty. Doesn't seem that difficult to handle. While a child shouldn't be allowed to misbehave simply because his life has been turned upside down, it would definitely affect how I would handle the misbehavior. I don't see any excuse for repeatedly bringing toys and gum to school though. All the mom has to do is check his backpack on the way out the door.

As far as the homeschooling, I don't know that she has to "learn" how to homeschool him for 3 weeks. The school will give her workbooks and they can practice writing and math together. I doubt that a first graders education will suffer because of three weeks at home. You're right about her choice of schools though. Hopefully she'll make a better choice next time.