Have You Ever Taken Away Softball?
If you are a softball parent, have you ever taken away softball as punishment? I have just made that choice for the first time in my life. It's one that I never expected to make.
But the bottom line is...softball is a privilege. It's an "extracurricular" activity, which to me, means that "responsibilities" should be taken care of first and foremost before an individual gets to participate.
Two of my daughters have just had their summer softball season ended because they could not play by my rules at home and take care of their responsibilities. This was not a consequence that came out of the blue. They had been told before, that if they didn't abide by certain rules and take care of specific responsibilities at home, they would not be allowed to continue their season. Today, it got to the point where I decided to follow through with that consequence for their actions and behavior.
I've seen other parents do the same thing from time to time. When it wasn't my child and I didn't know the whole story, I often questioned whether or not that punishment was the best choice. I guess my thinking was that, "Well, what is that girl going to do in her afternoons now? Sit around the house?"
Now in this situation, I feel it is a good decision - AND it's opened my mind to acknowledge that other parents may also be making a good, if not the best choice, in that time and place when they make that same decision.
Also, in my house, there is PLENTY to do (and I will be around to see it's done) during the hours that are now "open" because they won't be continuing their summer season. My girls will NOT be watching tv or playing on the computer or anything else for a while. I have many things here that I could use their help with and we've already started. My house is going to look better than it has all year.
So....if you're a softball parent, have you ever taken away softball as a consequence? How do you think it went?
If you are a player, have you ever had softball taken away from you as a punishment? How did you feel about it and did it change your attitude at all?
But the bottom line is...softball is a privilege. It's an "extracurricular" activity, which to me, means that "responsibilities" should be taken care of first and foremost before an individual gets to participate.
Two of my daughters have just had their summer softball season ended because they could not play by my rules at home and take care of their responsibilities. This was not a consequence that came out of the blue. They had been told before, that if they didn't abide by certain rules and take care of specific responsibilities at home, they would not be allowed to continue their season. Today, it got to the point where I decided to follow through with that consequence for their actions and behavior.
I've seen other parents do the same thing from time to time. When it wasn't my child and I didn't know the whole story, I often questioned whether or not that punishment was the best choice. I guess my thinking was that, "Well, what is that girl going to do in her afternoons now? Sit around the house?"
Now in this situation, I feel it is a good decision - AND it's opened my mind to acknowledge that other parents may also be making a good, if not the best choice, in that time and place when they make that same decision.
Also, in my house, there is PLENTY to do (and I will be around to see it's done) during the hours that are now "open" because they won't be continuing their summer season. My girls will NOT be watching tv or playing on the computer or anything else for a while. I have many things here that I could use their help with and we've already started. My house is going to look better than it has all year.
So....if you're a softball parent, have you ever taken away softball as a consequence? How do you think it went?
If you are a player, have you ever had softball taken away from you as a punishment? How did you feel about it and did it change your attitude at all?
Labels: discipline, softball parent
posted by Stacie | 1:10 PM
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