Things that make you know you're doing something right.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by Juniper

Hey, both 12 years old - too bad so far apart! Pen pals?

I think they could definitely become 'pen pals' or whatever the modern definition is of that these days. Ask your daughter if she's interested and if so, I'll PM you Aden's email addy.

Like most boys he's not the greatest at correspondance, but he does keep in touch with his cousin on the other side of the country via email.

[ZenGum]

What is this "pen" you speak of? Does it have bluetooth?

[Aliantha]

What a nasty mum. lol

[ZenGum]

He has to learn how to weasel out of things. Its what sets mankind apart from the animals. Except weasels.

[Treasenuak]

Yes... weasels are the expert at weaseling. Perhaps he should take a few lessons just to polish off his technique?

[Aliantha]

Believe it or not, he was sincere with what he wrote. His teacher even noted that she felt he wasn't just saying what they wanted to hear in order to get out of further punishment/disciplinary action.

I guess it's hard for some people to believe that other people's kids have a conscience though. I'm just glad my sons both appear to have one.

[dar512]

It's all about sincerity.




Learn to fake that and you've got it made.

-- George Burns

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I guess it's hard for some people to believe that other people's kids have a conscience though. I'm just glad my sons both appear to have one.

Ali I don't think people really believe that - but it's just such a perfect answer, it's fun to assume it had an ulterior motive.

I have to say that the only time in my life I had detention I was let off by the Headmaster. Why? Well I hadn't done my homework. For the second or third week running. I was set "in school" detention (most common at my school as children travelled home all over the county on special buses). I had to give up 40 minutes of my lunch hour, and a desk was set for me right outside the staff room.

Then the Head came past and couldn't believe I was in detention. He knew me from the school play, the carol concert and the athletics team. He asked if I had finished the work I had been set (I had) and then set me free. So what it taught me was the age old proverb - it's not what you've done, it's who likes me. Or something like that.

The sad thing was, it was English Lit, which I loved. And Ms Knox, who everyone else loved. I just didn't like how she tried to make English accessible! and fun! I didn't want fun, I wanted serious books and books about books and poetry, and books about poetry, and poetry about books. Not bloody Adrian Mole. And yet at the end of the year she was so very nice to me when I left her class. Ah well.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Ali I don't think people really believe that - but it's just such a perfect answer, it's fun to assume it had an ulterior motive.

Well it'd be a shame if my son happened to read that people would prefer to think the worst when he's trying to do his best.

Also, it's not so much that the comment was made. It's the person who decided it'd be funny to do so in the first place. It's pretty hard for me to believe that it came from the 'goodness of her heart' and not just her taking an opportunity to be nasty once again.

Such is life. Some things never change.

[SteveDallas]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

He knew me from

• the school play
• the carol concert
• and the athletics team

No wonder you didn't have time to finish your homework!

[Aliantha]

Well the interesting thing is he hasn't complained about his detentions. He's taken them on the chin.

I admire him for that.

[binky]

I do believe he cares for animals, of all sorts, because my daughter does too.The same year asthe snailslaughter incident, she was nearly late for school one day, rescuing earthworms that had washed into the street during a rainstorm.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Well it'd be a shame if my son happened to read that people would prefer to think the worst when he's trying to do his best.

Also, it's not so much that the comment was made. It's the person who decided it'd be funny to do so in the first place. It's pretty hard for me to believe that it came from the 'goodness of her heart' and not just her taking an opportunity to be nasty once again.

Such is life. Some things never change.

Aden will develop a method to cope with this reaction, because it will be with him always. Personally, I think his response as described in his note should be sincere, regardless of his motive. If he is indeed so compassionate as to be moved to violence over the death of a slug, bully for him. If he's a young master of manipulation, that's great too. He'll have to live with either one, it doesn't matter which.

What I want to get across is that he should be true to himself, period. Because if he's a "goody two shoes" some people will disbelieve their eyes and suspect him. If he's a deceitful trickster, good people will be fooled. It is impossible to satisfy them all. Others will see what ever they want to see in his actions. Let those actions be true.

Personally, I think he's got a good heart and honestly believed the slug was murdered. Good on him. May I offer this?

Do good anyway...

"In the Final Analysis"

by Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered...
forgive them anyway


If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives...
be kind anyway


If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies...
succeed anyway


If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you...
be honest and frank anyway


What you may spend years building, someone may destroy overnight...
build anyway


If you find serenity and happiness, people may be jealous...
be happy anyway


The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow...
do good anyway


Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough...
give the world the best you have anyway


You see, in the final analysis, it's all between you and God...
it was never between you and them anyway.

Originally Posted by binky

I do believe he cares for animals, of all sorts, because my daughter does too.The same year asthe snailslaughter incident, she was nearly late for school one day, rescuing earthworms that had washed into the street during a rainstorm.

Me too. Yesterday morning in fact.

[ZenGum]

It is easy to be compassionate about puppies and kittens. Caring about slugs and worms is a much higher degree of compassion, IMHO.

[monster]

what about headlice