The Ballcap Imprisoned

FHS where my son, Chaz, is a sophomore has many rules and regulations all designed with the students safety in mind and to enhance the scholastic experience. I get told all the time how unfair the rules are, some teachers and coaches are and I take it all with a grain of salt. Just like I got told how unfair the coaches are, yet I talk to the coaches and usually get a different story of what is REALLY going on. I am a Mom and out of total fairness to my kids - I listen to them with a sympathetic ear. Maybe it does seem unfair and unreasonable to have such rules or directions that dictate what they do or how they behave but I also sympathize with the rule makers and need to come along side them in their decisions. I need to show that I love my kids and understand their feelings while all along I also need to express my desire for them to follow the rules set in place for them.

So with that said, let me tell you about the ballcap that has been imprisoned in the asst prinicipals office several times. A couple weeks ago I picked up Chaz's ballcap from the office and was informed that the students knew that ballcaps are not allowed on school grounds. OK. Well, The ballcap was set free and was placed on my sons bed. I never heard a thank-you for retrieving the ballcap. Up until the ballcap was returned, I did hear plenty about how I should go get his ballcap. He even took the time to call me during school hours and ask me to come and get it. So, I was a bit disheartened by this but even more so when I got a call the very next day to please come and retrieve his ballcap!!! What??? I went over the rule with him about no ballcaps on campus and he relayed to me that he knew!!! My son, who since he returned from his Dad's this summer, has been totally non-interactive with me - now calls and even talks to me in the morning prior to school, to ask if I will pick up the ballcap. So what is a Mom to do? Should I keep my son talking to me and also at the same time letting him know I will not go rescue his hat due to his willful disobediance? Or, do I go over the rules yet once again with him and pick up the hat? Yes, this is where I want your interaction??? Should I burn the hat???  Send me your thoughts on this.

I sincerely love my son and want the best for him. I want him to grow up with a healthy respect for rules and laws. I want him to know that I always have his best interest at heart.