Thursday, August 21, 2008

ENTITLEMENT is NOT a VIRTUE!!!

NOTE: I read Tootsie Farklepants post at Vintage Thirty and became inspired to write this post. I had the math homework conversation last night with Son (see below). I hope she doesn't mind my comiserating with her but I had to vent and after reading her post, I felt so much less alone in the world of tween parenting.


I am SICK SICK SICK to death of the sense of entitlement that these shitbird (sorry, there goes that word again) kids have nowadays. (Oh God! I sound like my grandparents). Let me make it more clear with a few examples:



1. "It' not my fault."

Example: We're sitting at the table and son pulls out math homework and announces he has taken home the wrong math sheet. So I ask him about the unfinished mathsheet in his hand. Son says that was last night's homework. So, I blow a gasket and tell Son that he is not being responsible. So he gets upset and says, mind you, seriously, " How is it my fault that I picked up the wrong math sheet?"

2. "What d'ya mean I...?!?"

Example: Son does not have cell phone. Occasionally, Son uses one of my cell phones when at the park, or going to functions outside of the home like sleepovers, etc. Son looses the cell phone we allowed him to use. We tell him that he will have to pay for the lost cell phone. "What d'ya mean I have to pay for it...I didn't mean to lose it!! That's unfair!"

3. "They (as in school teachers, administrators, etc.) can't do that to a kid!"

Example: My husband is an artist and I am sure that this does not help situation at all! Son goes to school and gets caught drawing in class. The teachers at his school are very accomadating to Son's skill in art and try to incorporate his abilities into school work. Hell! It's an arts magnet school! He get's two hours of art everyday! The rule however, is no drawing in class. Teacher takes son's art (after third time of warning) and pitches it into the trash. Son says to me when he gets in the car, "You need to go up to the principal's office and get her fired! They can't do that to a kid! It's my ART!!!"

SICK! SICK! SICK! does not even begin to cover the crap this child...yes, CHILD! is throwing my way. It's time for a COME TO JESUS MEETING!!



I disagree...Sometimes you do need a proctologist for a cerebral hemorrhage...I am the one hemorrhaging and he's the one who needs my foot up his butt!!

10 comments:

Madge said...

so. how was your day?

Louise said...

He'll thank you later for your foot being up his butt. The real world will hit, and he'll be glad you let him know about it ahead of time!

I am NOT looking forward to those years. I have a 6-year-old that already has PMS-like mood swings.

Happy weekend. Or at least try!

shrink on the couch said...

I love it. A mom besides me who thinks her kids need a swift kick. Sometimes I think there's no escaping the excuses parents make for their kids impolite behavior.

Jeannie said...

I have sooo often thought of putting my foot in the spot you mentioned on all of my kids at one time or another.
Just stay strong!

Tootsie Farklepants said...

Commiserate away! I'll bring wine.

Suburban Correspondent said...

Ending The Homework Hassle by John Rosemond is the best book I have read on the subject. Truly excellent. Run, don't walk, to Amazon and order it. You won't be sorry.

Yes, the fog of entitlement that enshrouds a teen's pea-size brain is impenetrable. I have learned that the hard way the past 2 years. Do not, repeat not, try to reason with your teen. You are wasting your time.

Stacie said...

suburbancorrespondent-got my keys and on my way to Barnes and Noble. I read some articles by Rosemond a few years ago and never thought to look for a book. See where arguing with my teenager has gotten me?

Stacie said...

tootsie farklepants- wine, vodka, robitussin...i'll take whatever you've got!

Stacie said...

jeannie- it's like the new game for mom's. instead of pin the tail on the donkey, it's put the foot up the kid's butt! I'll bet we could make this a drinking game...hmmmm

jacquie said...

got a foot i can borrow...i've used both of mine.