Trouble with son in school Help archery season closing in

bubba74701 · 09-27-2003, 01:11 AM

My son is 12 years old and I bought him a new bow in january we worked hard all summer to get him to shooting 45 lbs and being consistant at what he is shooting at.In fact he is pretty impressive to 35 yards.
Problem:He cant stay out of trouble in school.He makes good grades and the teachers love him he just has a big mouth and dont know when to stop talking and dont think about what he is is saying until its too late.
Oct.1 is the opening of bow season here in Oklahoma and it seems the only thing he cares about is going to get to bow hunt this year.I have grounded him and sent him to bed early which does' nt faze him.I have busted his butt and that does' nt help either.Tonight Before I sent him to bed I told he he was not going to be able to bow hunt the first two weeks of the archery season.He was actually upset and started crying.
Question is I am more than all for trying to get younger people into hunting but feel this is the only thing I can take away that he cares about that he might even think about before getting in trouble again.
Do you think Im being too hard on a new hunter or just go hunting by myself and not even think about him setting at home with my wife embroidering or knitting threw the first couple of weeks of deer season.

Tree climber · 09-27-2003, 05:49 AM

if that is the only thing that makes him think about how his actions cost him.then I say you are doing the right thing.
I went through the same thing with my son.after a few times with me going and him setting at home,it made all the difference in the world.

some times it hurts you more than them.I know that is an old saying,but it is true.

most of all;do not back off after a couple of days.if you said two weeks,then by all means make it two weeks.
I am sure you have made it clear that the trouble he has caused in school is the reason for he not being able to go.

good luck with the problem,hope it works out.

txbowjunkie · 09-29-2003, 12:35 PM

Tree climber hit the nail on the head. Kids have to learn to be accountable for their actions and if this is the only thing he will respond to then you have no other choice do you?

I agree that it is harder on the parents. All we want if for our children to be happy and healthy. It hurts very much to see them excluded, sad and whatnot. Hopefully, he will learn from this and try a little harder.

Just remember that there will be plenty of other hunts and outings.

Ballistictip · 09-29-2003, 08:56 PM

Bubba, you' re doing the right thing. I see so many kids nowadays with no discipline. It' s really sad because the kids are the ones who suffer in the long run. I' ll admit, when I was growing up I sometimes thought my parents were the meanest people on earth when I was punished for doing wrong. Now I' m 33 years old with an 8 year old son and have a deep apreciation for the things my parents did for me growing up. If it were' nt for them who knows where I' d be now.

Like the others have said, stick to your guns. I know it' s hard but years from now he will thank you for it. Good luck and hopefully he will be able to go hunting on opening day.

CanAmMan · 09-30-2003, 05:04 AM

YES, you are doing the right thing!!! Stick to your guns. If the problem is still going on you can also not let him practice with you. Just make sure that he knows that the reason he is not going or practicing is because of his actions in school. I know when I was a kid, I didn' t really know what I did wrong to get punished.

benhuntin · 09-30-2003, 10:44 AM

Ok, from a father of four boys, two of them teens. You have to hit em where it hurts. I dont mean physically. You are probally doing the right thing by taking away his hunting priveledges. You might try doing it on a shorter basis though. Maybe say he cant hunt the opening weekend and if he behaves in school and at home he can hunt the following weekend. This might give him something to work towards in the short term which is where most kids his age think.
Does your son just talk alot or is he being mouthy and disrespectful?
My 14 year old has always had a problem keeping quiet in school. He makes outstanding grades but is always getting in trouble for talking.[>:] He does this at home too. He just doesnt know when to shut it off. His favorite hobby (when he isnt blabbing) is reading greek literature. Sending him to his room or grounding him never worked because he would just go in his room and read. No problem.
Spanking, NOpe. PUt a little ice on the wound and read his book.
Now when he misbehaves I' ll make him sit at the kitchen table for an hour with nothing to do or eat or drink. Any noise he makes gives him an additional 15 minutes. The first time I did this he was there for almost 2 1/2 hours. He still talks
too much but is much better and doesnt have any problems in school anymore.
Anyway, im sorry I rambled on. You' re on the right track. Just give him something to work towards on the short term. You know as well as I do that missing 2 weeks of bowhunting can be considered CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.

[X(][

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benhuntin · 09-30-2003, 10:49 AM

Quote:

I didn' t really know what I did wrong to get punished.

i cant tell you how many times I hollered " whad i do, whad I do" ! When that paddle was raking my behind.[

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rockytop · 09-30-2003, 11:47 AM

I think your doing the right thing but I' d try a week of no hunting with the condition that his school attitude and mouth improves in that week. Tell him instead of two weeks without hunting, he' s going to do one week and be on probation the rest of the season. imho

lamudslinger76 · 10-01-2003, 10:43 PM

I' m going through the same exact situation. We worked hard all summer and now he thinks all that matters is hunting. Since school has started, hes been suspended once. I took away the bow last week. Among other things. I think it hurts me just as much as him. Hes my best friend and hunting buddy.But hes gotta learn one way or the other. He was told he can' t hunt until I get better results from the school. I' ve met with the teachers and they' re sending me weekly reports on how hes doing. Stick to the punishment. Lots of kidds now days lack discipline and respect. Your doing the right thing.

hardluck71 · 10-02-2003, 02:53 AM

Bubba

You are doing the right thing. He will thank you for this later.

I thanked my dad for all the punishment that I received when I was a kid mainly because, as I look back, I see that I deserved every bit of it. If it wasn' t for him, I wouldn' t be who I am today.

I have a two and a half year old son who thinks he runs the house. He can be mischeivious and when punished he is the best kid on the block for a while. By the way, did you know that a full grown poodle will fit in a silverware draw? My son showed me that one.

Good Luck. You are being a great dad to a son who really needs you right now.