A 12 year old hero

Last Sunday, 12 year old Justin was left in charge of is four younger siblings. Everything was going just fine. Justin and his three younger brothers all slept in the living room that night. At 2am, Justin woke up to the smell of smoke. He quickly woke his brothers and evacuated the house. He knew his three year old sister was still inside so he tried his best to wake the neighbors for help. With no luck Justin did the only thing he knew to do.

"I had to pick her up" Says Justin, "and she was real stiff. I was just real scared at that point"

Sources say the boy even had to kick down a door!

He then went back into the house to dial 911. The house couldn't be saved, but all five children came out completely unharmed.

Once I read this article I couldn't help but be proud of this young boy and hope that my own children have that same love for each other if they are ever in a similar situation.

Most of the comments commended this boy and his heroism. Some comments, however, were less than flattering "Where were the parents??" Many people were asking. "Why wasn't someone there with them? That's a lot to leave with a 12 year old boy..."

The article mentioned that Justin's parents were both working. While it is true that many 12 year old children in this world probably couldn't handle babysitting four children ranging from age 3 to age 9,  but just reading about what this boy did obviously tells me the parents left the young children with the absolute best possible person. A responsible older brother who loves them enough to risk his own life to save each of theirs.

It really saddens me to see that there really are people out there who see the bad in everything rather than dwell on the good things.

Good for you Justin for being so brave! And good job Mom and Dad for raising such an amazing kid! I bet his parents know for a fact they have nothing to worry about as long as big brother is home.

Wrong from Wrong must be Right

About 5 years ago I subbed for a second grade class at my old elementary school. I was so excited that it just happened to be their day to go to music. These guys were running around like rabid animals so I was grateful to have a break! Once I dropped them off I looked across the hall and saw my old art teacher sitting at a table, her room was a mess, and she looked like she was ready to cry. I walked up to the open door and gave a gentle knock. She saw me, greeted me, and asked me to sit down. She asked me what I was up to. I told her I was subbing and then told her my plans to go into teaching myself... I'll never forget what she said after that...

"Justinn, kids aren't the same as the were when you were here. When you were here I would have maybe 1 or 2 bad, I mean difficult, we aren't allowed to call them bad! kids in each class... Now I'm lucky to have one or two good ones! If I could I'd retire right now and never look back!"

Ever since that day it's often made me question my goal of becoming a teacher all together, but the biggest thing I'd really wondered... What was so different 20 years ago??

Well at first I thought maybe it had to do with how many kids were being raised outside their homes (child care centers). I thought maybe 20 years ago less went, but I did my research and found that's not really that true. While more parents are working the same number of children seem to be going to day cares... So what could it be?

I don't know what daycares were like 20 years ago, because I didn't go to one. Today, however, I know that affordable daycares have ratios like 20:1(per Florida law) for classes with children over the age of two which is perfectly legal! That's 20 three-year-olds running around one adult! (the age of this adult isn't specified) This might not be that big of a deal if these adults were allowed to be stern with their children.

As far as discipline in day cares go.. it's ok as long as it's not severe (makes sense), associated with food, rest or toileting (this is ok to me unless you're taking away a special treat.. like ice cream or a cookie), frightening (so you don't want kids to be afraid of getting punished?!?) or humiliating (So if a kid comes home embarrassed because they went to time out does that make it an unlawful punishment??) 

While I completely understand that some people have no choice and I'm not bashing you guys as parents in anyway (Angel was in daycare for 3 years, and I think preschool programs are great!)... I'm just saying something has got to give! It's not fair to our kids to be raised this way, and not fair the the teachers who have to try and teach without being allowed to discipline undisciplined children!

I went to preschool when I was five. I remember what would happen when someone got in trouble. They would be given a book to hold up over their head (no bending elbows) while they stood against the wall, no talking, no moving, for 5 minutes (the books were small children's books and were used so the kids would keep their hands together and visible for the teacher). Now they try to use the "redirecting" approach". Instead of explaining "This is not acceptable behavior and therefore you will be punished" (So sayeth the Supernanny as a perfectly acceptable approach). They say "Oh Billy, instead of throwing those books and Johnny, why don't you read them to him? Want a cookie??" (Ok, so maybe they don't offer them a cookie (although Florida law says they can't deny it based on behavior) Then when Billy throws the books again the teacher says "Billy, do you not like Johnny? Let's not throw the books. Let's put them away and play with the blocks!" Eventually Billy might go to time out as long as it doesn't humiliate him in front of the other kids! (None of what I'm saying is related to the daycare Angel went to. These are all Florida laws that I researched about child care facilities)

I'm not saying that all these new ways of teaching children to behave are stupid... I'm sure they work for some kids, but the truth of the matter is they DON'T work for most kids. Go to any school these days to see that proof, and I think it's completely unfair that parents who can't stay home to teach their kids discipline are subject to sending their kids to institutions that aren't allowed to discipline.

Next thing you know kids will start sueing schools for being punished for doing wrong! Wait... that's already happening... "Lawyer sues school for kicking son out of honors class over copied homework."

Instead of teaching right from wrong... We are going to teach wrong from wrong and call it right.