rules...

So it's a new school year.  A new school year always has it's share of teething problems, a settling in period.  New teachers, new classmates, more challenges and new rules....

I'm a rules girl, I always have been.  My big boy is definitely a rules boy.  This need for structure, order & rules must have kicked in at about 2yrs I'd say because as a baby he did NOT follow any rules & had this first time mama in a spin!  Though, as a toddler, when my girlfriends & I would catch up weekly with our babies & we'd laugh at how the big boy would be ensuring everyone was safe, doing the right thing, no standing on tables or chewing on small objects, not on his watch! We'd have a chuckle about how he'd grow up as the school monitor, the prefect in later years, and then the sensible chaperon in their teens...

As he grew, his need for order & structure continued.  We've had to throw caution to the wind a little, not get too bogged down with planning ahead, being a bit spontaneous as he was putting way too much pressure on himself.  He's a good kid, hates to ever do the wrong thing, would never intentionally do the wrong thing and last night my big boy broke down in tears, sobbing his little broken heart out because he was issued a 'blue' slip at school.  Apparently this new 'blue' slip is your first warning, and according to my boy when you get 3 'blue' slips the government has to be involved & parents are called to the principles office...and, well, we don't know what happens beyond that point! 

Absolutely devastated, my boy explained to me that he received the 'blue' slip for playing tiggy in a non-tiggy playing area.  A new rule.  A new rule that he was not aware of.  We talked about it in depth and he was eventually able to go to sleep feeling less criminal.  At what point do you go to the school and say something?  Rules are rules.  I understand that they are trying to be more forceful early on, but is this a little extreme?  One of my little grade 1 boys mates is so afraid of the new rules that he actually sits in the assembly area all lunch time to avoid doing anything wrong or being late!  

I made a point of speaking to my big boys teacher this morning.  Panic set in just a bit as I knocked on the classroom door.  Am I being overprotective?  Should I just let the dust settle before I go on in & question the running of the school?  I went on in explaining how completely devastated my boy was to be in trouble, how he couldn't comprehend how he'd gone from being a class representative last year to a 'naughty' kid so quickly.  I don't like to complain, but when my child is so distressed, you have to do something, surely!  I explained that we have accepted this 'blue' slip, all be it a little extreme and I suggested they revisit the new school rules to ensure the kids are all very clear on the expectations. 

I love our school & I have been very supportive and really quite impressed with the changes that have been made and the emphasis on our school values, but the last thing you want is the good kids loosing faith in the system they've always taken such pride in...