Update on Hellspawn Bully and Tale of an Appreciative Student

Hi, it's Spawn Wrangler again.

Thanks for everyone's support on my last post, I feel I should clear a couple of things up; firstly that the after-school club runs within the school itself, but is technically a separate entity (parents have to pay for the service, we have our own funding etc)  meaning it's possible for us to kick kids out, but tricky as there's some rule or another stating we have to take the kids who attend the school and our supervisor is reluctant to remove them.

Secondly that all this takes place in the UK, so if I use odd terminology apologies, I will try and find the American equivalent.

We do have a time-out punishment in place for any and all kids who behave badly, we go with a standard five minutes, with a loss of outside play privileges for especially bad behaviour. Luckily we don't have to use it for many of the kids.

Regarding Tommy, AKA Satan wearing a child's skin; disorders have been suspected before since he is so badly behaved and seems to show no regret for it, but when I asked my co-workers I found out he's been tested before through school (and I do mean extensively, this school has a number of kids with various disorders so they're really awesome at spotting stuff like that) and the diagnosis is, as someone said in the comments; Tommy's suffering from a lack of parenting.

Now I'll give this mum her due, Tommy and his sister (who is a sweetie) always look healthy, are active and their school uniforms look well-kept too. Personally I think she never bothered telling him off when he was little and now she can't control him. As I mentioned before, he's a clever kid, in the same way that Dr. Doom is a highly intelligent super villain. X_X

Oh, anyone who was concerned after my last post for the Autistic boy; he's absolutely fine, his mum and dad were annoyed at what Tommy did but understanding that there's a limit to what we can do. We can keep Tommy away from their son as much as possible but realistically until we work out a way to either kick Tommy out or he starts behaving (ha!) our hands are tied. At least their son didn't seem traumatised and the few times we've had him in he's had a great time :).

Ahhh, Anyway, onto a slightly nicer tale.

The other night I was running our crafts table and we were making Valentines day cards; loads of paint and glitter were being applied, fun was had by all :) One or two of the kids were asking how to spell 'Valentines' or sometimes one of their classmates names. One little girl suddenly pipes up with 'Spawn Wrangler, how do you spell your name?"

I tell her, a little confused, but I have a slightly oddly spelt name so I've spelt it out for kids before. Cut to the end of the evening when I've completely forgotten that little incident and we're packing up, kids are being collected, etc.
This little Heavenspawn suddenly skips over, pushes a card into my hand and says bye because she's going home now. When I checked in the card she'd written 'Thank you Spawn Wrangler for reading us stories.'

Nice to be appreciated and I love that she remembered my original job as a storyteller.
 
^^ May all your Custy's heads fall off at awkward moments.

--Spawn Wrangler

 

Comments

[The Last Archimedean]

If Tommy behaves like a jerk outside of school sooner or later he'll piss off the wrong person and end up in the hospital or the morgue. People are crazy these days [at least over here in America]. I hope he grows a functioning brain before he gets into very serious trouble.

On a nicer note, what a lovely child to make you a valentine! That kind of thing gladdens my heart and takes a little bit of the cynicism away from my soul.

[Sales Agent Guy]

First off, I am not surprised with how Tommy is lacking in parenting apparently. I mean, given how his mother responded, I kind of suspected as much. I'd hate to see what he's like at home. Keep us posted on Tommy, OK?

And that heavenspawn who gave you a card, I'd give her a big hug and kiss.

[Lady red]

Ah no surprise that Tommy is lacking in parenting., his mother does not appear to be the type of person who knows how to properly discipline her child judging by your last post and the way she reacted to what Tommy did.

Shame you still can’t just kick him out but working on it is a start. That heavenspawn was very sweet to give you the valentine’s day card. I agree they deserve a hug .

[Future Teacher]

Sorry but this is a pet peeve of mine, the preferred term is - Child with Autism. Not Autistic Child.

[Elly-Rose]

Maybe you should clear out a small room or something, and I mean clear it, no toys, no furniture, no nothing, and then stick a sign on the door and call it "Tommy's Room" and tell him that until he learns to behave and play nice, he has to stay in the empty room for the entire time he's at the club.

If only that wouldn't get you fired...

[Megan]

Just FYI, the Positive Discipline books by Jane Nelsen might be helpful in dealing with Tommy's behavioral issues.

[NC Tony]

Too bad we live in a world where, if you even look at your kids wrong, CPS will be breathing down your neck like you're a member of Al-Queda sneaking around the White House. I say this because I think Tommy needs a good ass whupping. Because like Archimedean said above, one day he's gonna piss off the wrong person, and find out he's not the biggest dog in the fight.

[ScanGunMonkey]

I'm not sure when a whoopin' turned from "positive childhood discipline" to "ZOMFG THAT'S ABUUUUUSE." I received my share of paddlings when I was but a tiny monkey, and, lo and behold, I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER. Nor am I a maladjusted, shut-in wreck of a person. I actually grew up across the street from a kid whose mom "didn't believe in spanking." -.- Little fucker grew up into a fucking carbon-copy of the XY half of the cast of Jersey Shore.

[Soph]

Future teacher:both my brothers are autistic and neither they or my mother have a preferred term for it because it all means the same, damn thing.

[Gabriella]

If you can deal with the long hours & small paychecks in the bnienngig, auto sales. My husband has been doing it for 8 years & makes $80,000 & I don't have to work. He's only in his 20 s & has had no college. But he's not home very often!References :