Should I Turn My Kid In ?

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Carbo

Diamond Member
Aug 6, 2000
5,272
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Sorry pal, while there are indeed kids who, as you say, "go postal" as a result of parental pressure, the number of kids who do so because of parental dysfunctionality akin to yours is WAY, WAY more.
Would you please refer me to the the medical journal this "fact" you are stating came from?
 

Gaard

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
8,911
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Just let it go dude. You ask for advice and then you argue with people whose advice you don't agree with.
 

rogue1979

Diamond Member
Mar 14, 2001
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I don't mean to be harsh, but your problems with your daughter are only going to get worse. It sounds like you are already losing control. Do not take the easy way out for you and your wife, you have to jump on her now. If you are not willing to punish her severly because it will make your situation harder, then at least turn her in! I would prefer to punish her at home with a big cut in privileges and an intense math regimen. My father and I went through the same "battle" when I was a teenager. I hated the man and wanted to run away. He did not take the easy route, he stayed on my butt and checked up on everything I did and punished me when I screwed up. It was an intense battle of wills and he made sure that he won, at great expense to his mental state. I surely would have ended up worthless or in prison, but I am successful, honest and have good morals. My dad is one of my best friends now, and I owe him everything for not giving up. I have a 15 yr old daughter and a 16 yr old boy. My daughter is testing me in every way, and I suspect she hates me too. But I love her and I am not going to give in, I few hard years with her now will save her a lifetime of grief later. I am her father, and it is my job to make sure she turns out right, no matter what the cost.
 

UltraQuiet

Banned
Sep 22, 2001
5,755
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I don't mean to be harsh, but your problems with your daughter are only going to get worse. It sounds like you are already losing control. Do not take the easy way out for you and your wife, you have to jump on her now. If you are not willing to punish her severly because it will make your situation harder, then at least turn her in! I would prefer to punish her at home with a big cut in privileges and an intense math regimen. My father and I went through the same "battle" when I was a teenager. I hated the man and wanted to run away. He did not take the easy route, he stayed on my butt and checked up on everything I did and punished me when I screwed up. It was an intense battle of wills and he made sure that he won, at great expense to his mental state. I surely would have ended up worthless or in prison, but I am successful, honest and have good morals. My dad is one of my best friends now, and I owe him everything for not giving up. I have a 15 yr old daughter and a 16 yr old boy. My daughter is testing me in every way, and I suspect she hates me too. But I love her and I am not going to give in, I few hard years with her now will save her a lifetime of grief later. I am her father, and it is my job to make sure she turns out right, no matter what the cost


Check it out. Here's somebody else with a clue.
 

wyvrn

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
10,074
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Originally posted by: Carbo
It came to my attention last night that my daughter, who is just now graduating from Middle School, cheated on her math final in order to pass. Apparently, some classmate gave her the answers during the test. She never would have passed the test otherwise. Studying is not cool because it interferes with her time on the phone and AIM.
All during this past school year I had my suspicions about her grades because she all but never gives school and homework a moment's thought. I suspected she was getting by on cunning and guile and shortcuts, but until I overheard her on the phone last night talking with a friend about how she had cheated, I was never certain. Now, I know.
My dilemma as a parent is really gnawing at me. Do I let it slide so she doesn't suffer the indignities and consequences of her actions? Or, do I contact the school and let her face the music?


I would get Medieval on my kids if that pulled that crap. I will not, I repeat, will not have spoiled rotten kids who don't respect authority. They will work first, and their grades will be good, or they will have no recreation. Once their schoolwork and family time has been taken care of, they can attend extra curicular school activities, hang out with their friends, and play on the computer. I refuse to work my ass off providing for them and allow them to take advantage of me. Send your kid to me Carbo, and let me straighten her out ;) She'll come back as a straight A student, I promise you that much.



I don't mean to be harsh, but your problems with your daughter are only going to get worse. It sounds like you are already losing control. Do not take the easy way out for you and your wife, you have to jump on her now. If you are not willing to punish her severly because it will make your situation harder, then at least turn her in! I would prefer to punish her at home with a big cut in privileges and an intense math regimen. My father and I went through the same "battle" when I was a teenager. I hated the man and wanted to run away. He did not take the easy route, he stayed on my butt and checked up on everything I did and punished me when I screwed up. It was an intense battle of wills and he made sure that he won, at great expense to his mental state. I surely would have ended up worthless or in prison, but I am successful, honest and have good morals. My dad is one of my best friends now, and I owe him everything for not giving up. I have a 15 yr old daughter and a 16 yr old boy. My daughter is testing me in every way, and I suspect she hates me too. But I love her and I am not going to give in, I few hard years with her now will save her a lifetime of grief later. I am her father, and it is my job to make sure she turns out right, no matter what the cost

Right on! :D My mother was hard on me, but I came out tough as nails. She was a single parent but didn't take crap from her kids. And we loved her dearly when she passed on. I only wish I had more time to spend with her now to show her how I turned out.
 

element

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,635
0
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I read most of this thread. The Mrs. Tallgeese post was especially informative. Thanks for that. I am not a parent, but here are my thoughts anyway.

I see you are concerned that your child will hate you. I must point out that in one of your posts you said she has no respect for you and will point out her hate for you at the drop of a hat already. But in any event, perhaps you are worried she will hate you even more.

One possible solution might be to inform the school that in your opinion, she does not demonstrate adequate math skills, and that you suspect cheating, and that they should keep an eye on her and catch her cheating on the next exam.

Unfortunately this may not be possible if the school season is over already, is it? You mentioned summer break begins soon. Did they take the final yet?

Btw, the math they do in 7th and 8th grade is so easy that i find it hard to believe you're not proficient in it. When I was in 7th and 8th we learned order of operations, cartesian planes. Not even algebra or trig yet, so it is very easy. Admittedly I hold a BSEE degree and so may be a bit biased on that point. Also middle school was a while ago for me.

In any case good luck to you and your daughter.
 

Yo Ma Ma

Lifer
Jan 21, 2000
11,635
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As there are already over 200 replies in the thread (many of which I have not yet read), this may have already been posted previously in some form. For one, you really cannot be positive that she did cheat even though you overhead her saying that she did, though with your previous insight it would indicate that she probably did, it's also possible she was just telling some story to a friend.

Have you talked to your wife about what you heard, and what action she might want to take?

Since cheating usually does catch up to you in the long run (unless she has completed her math studies), it's entirely possible that her teacher next year will be a sharp one who can detect cheating in his/her classroom, in which case she will have to learn the material or do poorly. If she does seem to be cheating her way along next year, then alert the teacher to your suspicions and have her more closely monitored.
 

HiveMaster

Banned
Apr 11, 2002
490
0
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My original post to begin this thread asked if I should turn my kid in. Replies to that question, pro and con, were read and weighed, each on their individual merits. I did not ask for critiques regarding me as a parent. For anyone to assume they know how I am as a parent through a few internet postings is foolish. Had this thread remained on track, pompous dopes like gaard and, sigh, hivemaster would remain in their dreamworlds of white picket fences and Leave it to Beaver family values, and never post in the first place

Duh. Now I am getting a bead on your values and parenting skills. Buddy, the fact that the world NO LONGER contains picket fences and leavit to beaver is the reason why I make SURE that they know I care...and that I am watching them. They know that when they screw up I will find out, and that there will be appropriate consequences. I know that the world is gonna treat them a lot more harsh than I ever will, and that I am doing the best I can to make sure they grow up safe and sane. You might think that you have some mysterious parent mojo that none of us understand, but it is quite clear from your few postings that you have been a casual parent at best, and now your parenting--or lack of it-- is coming to bite you on the ass.

You invite critiques to your parenting every time you rant about your kid. The fact that we strike a little too close to home may piss you off, but you are not going to shut us up...unless of course you turn off the damn computer and spend some quality time with your family.

Did you look up those two books I gave links to? Did you buy them and read them?

Of course you didn't. I would be willing to bet you haven't read more than one book on child rearing your entire life. Too bad for you. Too bad for your kids.
 

Alex

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 1999
6,995
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Originally posted by: The Dancing Peacock
punish her on your terms, she's your daughter, you know what happened. you turn her in, she's going to resent you more than even a normal teenager resents their parents. Restrict her computer use, no phone, etc. It's summer, don't let her go out, she'll hate that. Hell, send her to a math tutor, or make her take summer school for the class, but I would say not to turn her in.

couldnt agree more
 

VFAA

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2001
1,176
0
0
Havent's read the entire thread but here comes my 10 cents...
Talk to her. Tell her you know what happened and you're going to punish her. But before you punish her, make her go down to the school and talk with the guidance counsellor. Make her admit to school's personnel what she did. They'll go much easier on her if she does it herself, instead if you go down and explain everything. She should be able to retake that course in summer school if her final score was below 69%. In other words, she's able to upgrade her final mark. As the punishment, cut her phone and PC usage for the summer school time. Make her study and do more work around the house. After her summer school is over and if she made progress, reward her by giving her the old privileges (but restrict it when school starts in September). Trust me, for a kid this age admitting the deed to a school's counsellor is too much punishment already.
Hope that helps and good luck :).
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
2
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Don't turn her in.
What you need to realize is that even if she aced the test, that still wouldn't mean that she knows math, because the standards are very low. If you need your daughter to learn math, find her a math tutor. I mean one on one instruction. If you can find someone from former USSR, even better. They teach math very differently and seriously there. There are Math Olympiads for highschoolers starting with 9th grade on schooldistrict levels up to national and international levels.
Sample
Education in Russia is very differently than here. Instead of taking a 1 year class like geometry, and then forgetting about it and moving on to something else, in Russia, they start algebra and geometry in 7th or 8th grade and continue on to 11th (last grade) in parallel. So by the time you get out of high school, you had 4 years of geometry and 4 years of Algebra/Math Analysis/Calculus. Much more depth.
Same thing with Chemistry. They start with nonorganic chemistry, and then go through organic in another year. Biology starts with botanics in 7th grade, then Zoology in 8th grade, Anatomy in 9th grade.
Also, to get into a Russian university, you have to take an exam similar to that link above, in physics and math, and write an essay.
There are no lame multiple choice SAT tests.
 

Chooco

Banned
Apr 5, 2002
731
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just because his daughter doesn't know math doesn't mean she's retarded and needs a tutor. math, physics and chemistry are easy because you get very good grades if you just DO THE HOMEWORK. keep in touch with the teach to see if she's actually doing her work.

seriously turn her in though, it teaches her that society does not put up with BS and they deal with it very seriously and not just a slap on the wrist like she may think.
 

VFAA

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2001
1,176
0
0
Not only Russia does it but most of the Eastern European countries; Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Romania, etc...
 

UltraQuiet

Banned
Sep 22, 2001
5,755
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Why is everyone in this thread so absorbed with finding this girl a math tutor, making her take remedial math, etc. Her math score is not the problem. The problem is that she [edit] cheated on a math test and thinks she got away with it. It doesn't matter if it was math, latin or science. The point is that she cheated and she needs to be punished for that. Jesus Christ get a clue.

---

Please get your own clue, and watch your mouth on our forums.

AnandTech Moderator
 

Carbo

Diamond Member
Aug 6, 2000
5,272
11
81
I would be willing to bet you haven't read more than one book on child rearing your entire life.
Hivemaster, you read books to determine how to relate to your children? Clearly, you've studied The Idiot's Guide to Parenting. That would explain your cut and dry approach to handling situations and issues that have no cut and dry solution. If your ideas on parenting are obtained from the latest best selling psycho babble and trend setting methodoligies, how sad is that? Parenting in a box...........sheesh, now I've heard it all. Now, go watch Oprah.
 

UltraQuiet

Banned
Sep 22, 2001
5,755
0
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Originally posted by: Carbo
I would be willing to bet you haven't read more than one book on child rearing your entire life.
Hivemaster, you read books to determine how to relate to your children? Clearly, you've studied The Idiot's Guide to Parenting. That would explain your cut and dry approach to handling situations and issues that have no cut and dry solution. If your ideas on parenting are obtained from the latest best selling psycho babble and trend setting methodoligies, how sad is that? Parenting in a box...........sheesh, now I've heard it all. Now, go watch Oprah.

You mean you didn't immediately run out and purchase those books. WTF is wrong with you. Hidemaster knows everything. Just ask him. Anyone who doesn't follow his instructions to the letter is just a damn fool.
rolleye.gif
 

Chooco

Banned
Apr 5, 2002
731
0
0
where might i find this "Learn Parenting in 21 Days" book you speak of? :D

do tutors actually do anything? usualy if you just ask the teacher how something works, they will gladly show you.....every teacher in my school has 1 lunch hour of the week where he/she helps students do stuff they don't understand for that subject
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
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The "cunning and guile" she learns at school is much more important than the content they are teaching her. Anyone can learn to multiply and divide, but learning the social interactions needed for today's competitive workplace, is priceless.
 

skace

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
14,488
7
81
There is a pretty good split between:

1. People who think the only way to teach your child is through pain and suffering
2. People who think the only way to teach your child is through explanation and questioning

I wonder what causes this split, is it the way these people were innitially raised?

I believe that a child needs to learn that there is responsibility for their actions. But I also believe they can learn this lesson without feeling the wrath of the school as a first hand demonstration. Just like I don't need to be shot to understand that a bullet hurts. Like the old example goes, you tell a kid not to touch the stove 12 times but he won't stop until s/he goes and burns their hands. What would happen if you explained to the kid WHY we don't touch stoves before they touch it? It seems we, as humans, find it easier to simply tell someone not to do something than explain why. That is understandable as we forget they don't have the same knowledge as us, but that hardly passes as an excuse.

Not everybody needs to be burned.
 

VFAA

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2001
1,176
0
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skace, do you really think this works? I have twin 4-year-old brothers. My mom tells them not to touch the stove as they'll hurt themselves and it will be very painful. Do you think they listen? No, nobody does. Kids are young and curious. They will do it until they they feel their mistake. Than they won't do it again. I've been in school and I've cheated on a couple of tests. Sometimes there's an urge to cheat if you haven't studied because you were lazy. Yes, kids do know it's wrong but the thought goes on in their mind that they won't get caught cheating, and that's when they do it. I don't think you should turn a kid in for cheating on a simple math test because EVERYONE cheats on something in school. I don't believe there's a person that has never copied homework or an answer to a test, etc. If she cheated on a final year course exam than you have a problem. Read a few posts up what I suggested. Trust me, that will teach your kid a lot.
 

Chooco

Banned
Apr 5, 2002
731
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i think kids learn through pain and suffering or seeing what can be done as a result of____

sort of like that part on Titus once (that show sucked but stay with me here), Chris said "my father was never one to give knowledge out, he would just let us learn it for ourselfs" then it shows Chris playing near a light socket and his mother says "don't touch that Christopher, it will hurt you" then his father says "no wait, go ahead son, touch it" then you can hear a loud ZAP then his father says "heheh i bet you won't do that again now will you son?"

kids learn from experience, if you say "stay in school or you will end up a bum" they will think you're just being a moron but if you actually kick them out of the house because they are no longer in school, they find out VERY fast how important education is in getting a good job.
 

bugsysiegel

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2001
1,213
1
81
Hard to believe that people come here for advice on parenting, when it's well known that most of us here are either single or too young to comment intelligently, or both.

 

GDogX

Member
May 27, 2002
29
0
0
here we go again, a person that has to start putting jewish people into the middle of this

SHUT THE FU*K UP