Seven year old boys ... tell me what kind of behaviour you expect from them and do you thing going to Scouts is a good thing?

[suzywong]

We feel that I as a woman have taught ds1 all I can in terms of values and ethics and discipline etc and now it is time for him to look to an older boy or other male outside our family for his role model. DH supports me in this.

It alll kicked off today because he threw a stone at close range in the face of a 4 yr old friend of ds2's who was visiting because "the boy wouldn't be quiet"

Needless to say I went utterly mental and did the old fake phone call to the policeman to get him to come round and tell him off, I wouldn't let him come inside for lunch and gave it to him outside and I ranted a lot at him. Eventually when I calmed down I made him write out an account of what happened with details of the consequences and what he had achieved. He got it all. He understands that it was wrong and that he acted without thinking and that it cannot happen again. So far so good

But DH and I think he needs to be more with older boys and learn exactly how to put this into practise and to toe the line in a pack of boys. I must say while I think his school is great, I can't help thinking that his middleaged lady teachers are not ideal role models for a boy which why I 'm looking in to extra carricular activity.

So DH has enrollled him in a martial arts class as of Saturday and I want him to start scouts next week.

What is your 7 year old like and do you feel that between you you have reached the next stage in parenting and some outside input would help?

oh c'mon .. it was patently a joke .. even if you don't know the OP you can tell by the context

people are still allowed to joke aren't they?

seeker
back down and get off my case

please

OK. Joke. Very funny. Won't back down, but happy to move on.

There are a lot of cultures where boys move out of a predominantly female environment at about 7 and join the men. I think that's a bit extreme, but it is a shame that there aren't many male teachers for this age group - I think both boys and girls would benefit.

I'm interested in you saying that you have taught him all you can as a woman - and that he needs a role model outside the family. Could you say any more about that?

I think that it is a shame to have the remark about Scout leaders-this is the very reason that a lot of men don't come forward to be leaders. I think it would be excellent for him, but in my area you have to have their names down practically from birth to get a place-because of the lack of leaders.
I was taken aback by the fake call to a policeman-a big mistake-the police should be seen as people who help.

I heard a very interesting talk from a social worker about the schemes that are set up for children - particularly boys -in disadvantaged areas. The problem is that they are usually short term - the boys get interested and engaged then the scheme ends, leaving the boys where they were before it started. Things like Scouts offer continuity - and structure for boys who sometimes have chaotic lives. It is SUCH a shame that it's so hard to find leaders.Trouble is that people's working patterns nowadays don't allow for evening volunteering - if you get home at 9.00 you can't really be a Scout leader, can you?

I am actually with seeker and AbbyA on this. There is a reason there are hardly any Scout leaders left and groups are closing left right and centre causing children to miss out. That reason is inappropriate 'jokes' like these.

And I find that sad.

I am on the interview panel for Scout leaders, they are very well vetted these days.
The main reason for lack of leaders is that people's work commitments and long hours don't allow it.
However some men are frightened that their motives for working with children will be misinterpreted. Inappropriate 'jokes'don't help recruitment.

The comment made was quite obviously a joke; no-one is making any sort of disparaging comments about the scouts.. the OP is inteding to send her ds there so obviously doesn't have any qualms about them.

The thread was about bringing up small boys and the op was looking for reassurance and practical tips.

Suzy- let me know how ds gets on.. we loved the scouting that the kids did in NSW. THey went to camps, regattas, sports meets and alkl sorts of things.

It was obviously a joke-the whole point is that it shouldn't be a joke.

I appreciate it was 'just a joke', but it is jokes like that which perpetuate the rumours to the detriment of scouting!

Some jokes are just not funny.

yes, robin pud, will keep you posted

Thanks for the tips

boxes of Kleenex Fed-Exing their way across the world for the over sensitve