I'M NOT "OUT TO GET" YOUR CHILD. TRYING TO MAKE HIM ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS ACTIONS IS ONE OF THE MOST LOVING, BENEFICIAL LIFE LESSONS ONE CAN RECEIVE. MY JOB AND YOUR JOB AS WELL, IS TO PREPARE HIM FOR HIS FUTURE. YOUR SEEING NOTHING WRONG WITH HIS DISRESPECT AND HIS EXPECTATION THAT HE WILL COMPLETE WORK ON HIS TERMS AND WHEN HE FEELS LIKE IT, IS SETTING HIM UP FOR A FUTURE OF UNEMPLOYMENT. OR WORSE. I GRIEVE. I GRIEVE BECAUSE I HAVE WALKED DOWN THIS PATH MANY TIMES BEFORE. TROUBLED CHILD AND HIS FAMILY OFFERED HELP AND RESOURCES, ONLY FOR THE PARENT TO REFUSE. I SIT AT THE CONFERENCE TABLE WONDERING HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE UNTIL I READ ABOUT THIS ONE IN THE NEWSPAPER. I GRIEVE FOR THE LOSS OF A HOPEFUL FUTURE FOR MY STUDENT. I GRIEVE FOR THE FUTURE VICTIMS OF THIS STUDENT. I GRIEVE THAT IN 2017 THERE IS STILL A STIGMA ABOUT RECEIVING MENTAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING. I PRAY THAT SOMEDAY THIS WILL CHANGE. I'M NOT "OUT TO GET" YOUR CHILD. I ACTUALLY WORRY FOR HIM MORE THAN MY OWN KIDS.
