Lynda Loveland: The punishment!

By Lynda Loveland

Posted: November 7, 2012

Once upon a time, there was a nine-year-old girl who was banned from trick-or-treating for bad behavior. But, since she felt she was more important than any old punishment, she snuck out anyway.

After her angry parents caught her red-handed at the door dressed as the big, bad wolf, they decided to wait to discipline her and give her punishment some thought. This girl was already under a month-long electronics ban and had her toys removed from her room. Grounding her never really worked and soccer was already over. What would truly make this girl “care” about what she did wrong?

Hmmm.

Did I mention this young lady was a tomboy and girly stuff repulsed her?

Hmmm.

“I know," said her father. “We can make her wear a dress every day to school for a week!”

At first her mother wasn’t on board, but the more she thought about it, the more she thought it might work.

After a quick shopping trip, the trick-or-treating tomboy showed up to school Monday in a skirt, a cute one even! Her father had already removed extra clothes from her backpack that she’d brought as a backup. But she still took off her skirt and wore just her leggings.

Lesson learned. Her parents picked out dresses for her to wear the rest of the week.

Some may think these parents are humiliating their daughter. I say they’re simply making her care about making bad choices when she didn’t care before. It is her parents job to raise her to be a well-mannered, productive member of society.

Lynda is the mom of three and co-host of Mix 101.5 WRAL-FM's Bill & Lynda in the Morning. Find her here on Thursdays. Click here to like her on Facebook.

33 Comments

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Sorry Lynda but I do not agree with your approach. Sneaking out and lying are big offenses that need a serious punishment. Of course I don't know all of the details or your child but I would want to put the fear of God in my child if he committed the same offenses.

Being alone at night without your parents knowing your location at nine years old is a very dangerous situation. There are predators that go around looking for children. Not to mention what if something minor happened like she fell or got lost.

Nine is not too young to visit a police station or fire station and learn about these dangers from a professional. I would rather scare her some now than have the unthinkable happen down the road.

Best of luck:)

pss3
November 7, 2012 9:44 p.m.

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Having a stubborn, strong-willed 8-year-old daughter, I can totally relate to having a "difficult to discipline" child. We're still trying to determine a good, solid punishment that works for her...time-out, spankings (not beatings people, spankings), electronics ban, restrictions on outings/special activities/extracurriculars...none of these things seem to work. I think you have to find what works for your child and I think it is great that Lynda and her hubby found something that obviously bothered Campbell (otherwise, she wouldn't have tried to sneak back-up clothes and she wouldn't have just worn leggings on the first day). I doubt there is any punishment that would convey to a tween how serious her offense was and why, but at least this punishment will be memorable and may prompt her to think a little more carefully the next time she considers breaking the rules.

justbcauz
November 7, 2012 10:24 p.m.

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We looked for appropriate punishment for our stubborn son. I know someone is going to call me a cruel parent but we took his shoes away! The cool shoes - he still had others to wear. This worked fairly well for a few years. Now have to find another method to keep him in line.

khughesnc
November 7, 2012 10:58 p.m.

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I think these stories are embellished and made up to spark interest amongst your so called fan base...Very lame attempt but I suppose your boss puts pressure on you to peak the interest. Sound accurate?

americaneel
November 8, 2012 12:03 a.m.

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one other thing...I think you and Amamba Lamb are competing for who can come up with the most intriguing made up stories to get responses. Hello!

americaneel
November 8, 2012 12:17 a.m.

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Americaneel, I wish I'd made it up. I didn't. Nor did I embellish. I can't tell you how many times I wish my life was more boring. Don't read my blog if you think I'm lying.

lloveland
November 8, 2012 5:06 a.m.

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Stick to your guns Lynda! You are doing what all of us do - trying to deal with the children that God gave us. You and your husband know the best for your children and like the rest of us, you deal with it one punishment at a time to see what works for that child.

bjgupton
November 8, 2012 6:22 a.m.

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Lynda, not everyone shares the same opinion as americaneel. I look forward to your posts every Thursday. Thanks for sharing

marandablomqvist
November 8, 2012 6:47 a.m.

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That would have SO worked for me when I was that age! (Still would; it has to be a major event for me to wear a dress, even at my age (pushing 50 next month).

outlawtaxi
November 8, 2012 7:28 a.m.

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Lynda, great for u and hubby!, stick to your guns its a hard job raising kids theses days. mine are 12 & 6 and there are to many parents out there that want to be there buds instead of parents, not all but some and it makes are job harder when other kids are out of control and do anything they want and our kids see it. just sayin....