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Should Children Be Held Responsible for What Their Parents Do?
A Massachusetts Little League team suspended a 7-year-old boy because his mother missed her shift at a concession stand, leading some critics to question whether the child should really have to pay for the sins of his parent.
Hmmm....some good spin that direction. How about the fact that sports aren't free, so if the parents don't pay, the kid can't play?
So while it's a "suspension", from a straight fiscal responsibility standpoint if the parent violates their fiduciary responsibility, their kid should be dropped from the program. To call it "punishing" the kid is a rather blatant spin. How about "a parent failed to fulfill their financial responsibility to keep their kid in a pay-to-play sports program"? Isn't that a more accurate title?
Might actually be a good way to teach kids cause and effect or responsibility.
It's the parent that needs to learn that lesson, not the kid in this case.
There isn't a great deal of background information in the story. Why did she miss it? Was it something last minute that came up or did she have enough time to perhaps notify someone? Any prior history of not fulfilling obligations for her son's team?
It's not fair to make the boy miss games b/c his mother flaked out. My son is very active in sports and while I do believe parents need to teach their children to be part of a team, I wouldn't want him punished for something I do or don't do. Although if it is something the parents agree to prior to the season, then she knew what she was doing. I hope whatever caused her to miss her shift was worth the shame and disappoint her son is feeling b/c of her choice.
I like it.... agree with the sentiments that working the concession is a part of the dues of belonging... if you don't pay the dues you are not in the organization... also agree that the kid seeing this will teach responsibility... belonging the the little league is not a right and if there are membership requirements then so be it....
I'm not sure what the mom has an issue with since that was the rule before when she signed her son up.
It's hard to get parents to volunteer for that kind of thing, so she should be paying for it somehow. It's apparently supposed to be a deterrent so that they don't have to worry about who is working the concessions, but it looks like she doesn't see it that way.
If I sign up and show up for my shift, even with all the other things I might have to do, why should another parent be able to decide they can skip out of it?
I think the league might want to change the rules though...like pay $40 for a missed appointment or something instead.
I think the league might want to change the rules though...like pay $40 for a missed appointment or something instead.
Like the idea and have seen it done two ways - one works one doesn't...
(1) Only the offender pay the extra (e.g. $40) at season end based on not helping... this sets the treasurer or board up to become collectors - not a good situation...
(2) Everyone pay the extra up front as part of registration, then refund the extra to those that actually helped out (make sure the helping out expectations are clear up front)... this way the board and treasurer are in full control of the money and no collection efforts.
I'm on a team where there's a family fee (separate check) of $30 up front - they don't cash the check as long as you do your volunteer shifts. Then after you've met your commitment they give it back to you. If you don't - they cash it. I guess they only cash a few each season.
I never can stand when little ones get hurt over the minds of an adult regardless of the reason. I mean come on he only 7 it does'nt make since. These types of articles just remind me of how much more i must tell my children how much i love them every day and protect them from the darkness that pleague's our world still outside. To even think this is normal show's the cycle or abusive is still alive and well! and most are not even aware of it's present by it's generational convience.
It's not the team hurting the kid, it's the mom who won't fulfill her responsibility. It's going to hit the mom the hardest when it's her kid whining at her incessantly that he isn't getting to play. I support this type of action. I did my own time in volunteer hell in order to allow my kids to play sports, so I know what I'm talking about. Six years of hockey, four years of track...it sucked, but I did it for my kids.
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