I got one of those phone calls today .. one you dread getting as a parent .. the "out of 750 kids yours is the one acting up" call ...
At first I was scared because I recognized the number on Caller ID as being one of Dawson's Boy Scout leaders. It was actually the wife of one. I was told that Dawson was not hurt or anything, but ...
apparently he had not shown up for his merit badge class this morning. When the leaders went to investigate they found him in his tent with a rattlesnake that he and two other boys (one of them being his tent-mate) had found and caught and put in his lizard carrier. Yes, I said a rattlesnake!!!
Well, he's in trouble. The boys were told that their parents would be called, but that they would be given a second chance. If there are any more incidences they will be sent home. How humiliating!
Now, here's where I need some help. I am BIG about discipline being linked to the crime committed. I don't like to generally ground my kids or take away privileges that don't make sense. I want them to remember specifically the incident and the consequences attached to it. And I would like them to learn something from it.
So, here's my question ... how would you discipline him? I know that he is humiliated and upset at camp right now. That's just the way he is. I trust his Boy Scout leaders to discipline them appropriately while he is there. (He's being separated from his tent-mate). But, I do think he should be disciplined at home, too, for humiliating his family and for just being plain stupid.
So, comment your suggested forms of discipline.
Right now I am leaning toward him being unable to play with any friends or anything, and losing his cell phone, DS, Playstation, etc., when he gets back until he researches (the old-fashioned way by going to the library and reading books) and hand writes me two reports: one lengthy one on the dangers of snakes and the other one on self-discipline and self-control. He hates to write and hates to do school work, so this should hurt him sufficiently. And, maybe he'll learn something in the process.
Any other suggestions??
