10 Comments
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Colin Black's avatar

Thanks so much for sharing @David McIlroy!

David McIlroy's avatar

My pleasure!

Colin Black's avatar

I’m so glad you liked it, Howell! It was a tough one to write.

Howell Bigham's avatar

Thanks Colin! We’re all works-in-progress. Enjoyed the post!

Julie Stead, BSc (Hons)'s avatar

I love this Colin! What a great way to reframe criticism. What an amazing mum! We often hurry to hide the ways we’ve been criticised but that’s just one persons opinion and we get to choose how we own it ✨

It warmed my heart to hear that you got the bus turned around to pick up the lad that was late, I imagine a day of uncomfortable looks and remarks for you, but a memory that has stayed with that person forever!

Colin Black's avatar

Thank you so much for the kind words, @Julie Stead, BSc (Hons)!

Yeah it was such a good story. It really stuck with me when I heard it for the first time.

I hope so! I honestly wonder if anyone remembers that bus adventure except me haha.

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Comment deleted
May 23
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Colin Black's avatar

Good thoughts, Randy! I definitely agree with you that sometimes kids need to be disciplined, and this can often help form their character in a good way. I went to a Catholic school for two years, and they had pretty strict punishments.

I think the main thing is that there’s a difference between discipline and ruthlessly criticizing someone’s character, especially an elementary school student. In this case, I’d say his teacher was probably unduly harsh, even though he’d also probably say he did some stuff that he shouldn’t have done.

Randy Fickett's avatar

People can be well meaning and still act poorly.

My main point was simply that in the process of attempting to punish a child, I actually was able to learn skills they never considered about self-reliance among other things and that it’s actually a very good thing.

Colin Black's avatar

Yeah that’s a good point! I definitely think it’s true that people who go through difficult things as kids become more resilient. Hmm that’s annoying about your comment. It’s too bad they don’t have a way to un-delete!

Randy Fickett's avatar

Hey, I deleted my comment by accident! Sorry Colin sir!