Sometimes I Just Want To Scream

So often we hear that todays kids don't respect authority. We hear how out of control they have become. We blame T.V., Video Games, Movies etc, but maybe we are overlooking one major factor, the people that are raising them.

Tonight I attended my son's 8th grade graduation. For the past three weeks we have received many notes on graduation etiquette. The administration at the school asking that people show a little decorum during the ceremony. Simply asking that parents would show respect for all the kids. They explained that they would like all to hold applause and cheers till after the presentation of diplomas, so that all parents could hear their childs name called. They again reminded parents before they began. Unfortuantely it fell on many deaf ears. Some followed the rules set forth, but many did not. People yelling out, applauding, whistling and some just simply screaming. I heard my sons name, but many other names were drowned out. If all this wasn't enough, people were talking, laughing, cellphones ringing and I could hear some people making fun of what some of the kids were wearing. About 3/4 of the way through the the naming of the graduates, the principal stopped and again asked people to refrain. Did it get better? No actually it got worse. The people got louder and many were laughing when others called out. It was embarrassing to know that these were adults behaving like a bunch of animals. What a sad representation of our community.

How can we expect our children to grow up to show respect, and behave appropriately when the
very people who are raising them can't follow a simple rule? Rules that were made by the people that we have told them to listen to when they are in school. Kids learn by watching us and it is our responsibility as their role models to show them a good example.

I guess I am still in a state of shock. I laughed at all the notes about graduation etiquette that came home, because I couldn't imagine that it would be a problem. I was so wrong.