Another hard decision

Once again I find myself in one of those tough parent positions. Do I do want is right, or what is easy?

Dillon is in Krav Maga, which is a karate discipline. He really enjoys it and has been going for over a year now. They meet at his school as an after school activity and in the summer, Dillon attends the Krav Maga school. Every once in a while they are tested so they can advance in the belt system. Dillon has worked his way through a white belt, a gold belt, and is currently a green belt. It is time for his next test. He could be a orange belt before long.

There is a problem though. In order to be tested he has to have us sign a pledge that says he has been respectful at home. Has done what he is supposed to do, and is ready to move on. His teacher also has to sign to say that he is respectful et al at school. Let's skip me for a moment and focus on the teacher part...

If I were a teacher in the school and a student brought me a signed slip from the parents, I would feel required to sign it as well. Even if the behavior was not what it should have been. In my opinion, it is the parents responsibility to make the hard choices. But in today's world, most parents would just say "yeah, yeah. My kid is perfect" and sign the paper. I don't think that is the right thing to do. Easy definately, but not right.

I think you probably know where this is going, don't you?

Dillon's behavior lately has not been up to par. When he brought me the paper last Tuesday, he wanted me to sign it immediately. I told him that I wanted to wait and see if his behavior improved. I gave him ample warnings. "Dillon, this is the kind of behavior I have been warning you about. You are being disrespectful to me again." Smart alec, smart mouth, back talk...all those really hard lessons for a 7 1/2 year old to learn. When is it okay to yap back, joke around, and when is it not. Not horrible things, but life lessons that need to be learned. And with a week's worth of warnings about it, Sunday night I had finally had it. "Dillon, I am calling Mr Johnson and letting him know that I will not sign your paper. Your behavior does not warrent a promotion at this time." Tears flowed from him.

Now, today is the day that the paper needs to be returned. I put it in his backpack this morning, and told Dillon that he needed to give it to Mr Johnson. I even warned him that I would call Mr Johnson ahead of time to let him know to expect an unsigned paper. I don't plan on actually calling. I am sure he will be shocked to actually see a paper not signed. I hope he actually has the backbone to understand the situation. Kevin assures me that he does. That is why there is a paper.

Tears again from Dillon on the way to school. Now he is in a really hard place. He has to show that paper to Mr Johnson. I hope he has learned something.