Even after a stern reprimand from her teacher, Emma still refused to complete the assignment. Emma's mom, Julie writes a blog called Bug Bytes and here is part of the conversation she had with Emma when they got home:
Emma, you need to color this thing. The teacher might have to send you to the principal’s office.
I don’t care. I’m not coloring it.
Hmmm…Ok. What if I make you a deal. What if I print out a Powercat and you color it purple, grey and white. Then write an apology to your teacher because you were rude. Will you agree to that?
(pouts) Fine.
Ok, but you need to color that Jayhawk for your teacher.
(silent, exhales) Fine.
You will?
Yes. But I don’t like it. And I’m wearing a K-State shirt tomorrow.
Fine. You don’t have to like it. Just do it and I want you to tell your teacher you’re sorry as well. Julie kept up her end of the bargain as did Emma. Here is the Powercat picture she colored along with an apology to her teacher.
We also have the accompanying photo of what happened to the Jayhawk picture as soon as Emma got home.
Some people will think this is cute and/or funny. I do not. Disrespecting and disobeying your teacher at any age is unacceptable. Emma's teacher gave her an assignment and it should have been completed without incident. I love children, but I do not negotiate with them. If a child is wrong, we should not bribe them to do right. We need to be careful of the things we say and do around our kids. They internalize everything when it comes to us as parents.
Emma may think her parents really dislike Kansas and everything about it - which is why she'd risk a trip to the principal's office over a coloring assignment. I'm sure Emma's parents don't feel that way, but they must teach her the difference between rivals and enemies. Kansas and Kansas State are rivals. Ohio State and Michigan are rivals. The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs are rivals. The United States and Germany were enemies in World War II. Terrorist organizations are enemies of the United States now.
If I were explaining this to a kid, I'd use fictional characters. The Sith and Jedi are enemies. Autobots and Decepticons are enemies. Superman and Lex Luthor are enemies. You see, rivals look to defeat their opponents with the intention of meeting them in competition again. Cardinals vs. Cubs is the most anticipated series of the year here at home. We can't wait for Chicago to come to town and they can't wait for us to come to the Windy City. Conversely, enemies want to wipe each other out. Superman would be ecstatic if Lex Luthor vanished forever.
Our kids need to know the difference to help them put sports in perspective. School is real-life and your favorite sports team is not worth a visit to the office. Think of it this way. Rivals are supposed to bring out the best in you. They're supposed to make you play better, cheer better and show more school pride. And if that doesn't convince you, how about this? Olathe is a suburb of Kansas City and about 40 minutes or so from the University of Kansas. Having lived in the area, the Burtons are smack in the middle of Jayhawk country. I'm just saying when you live in Rome, don't be surprised to see Roman soldiers every once in awhile. Until next time...
Be a Good Sport!
-Sol
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