In a move that’s garnered attention far beyond the halls of Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, Arkansas, Principal Jake Thompson delivered a rather clear-cut message to parents at the beginning of the school year: if your son leaves something behind, he’s out of luck. The school took to Facebook, sharing an image of a note that stirred up quite the conversation. Accompanied by the caption, “Welcome to Catholic High. We teach reading, writing, arithmetic, and problem-solving,” the note urged parents to rethink their roles in their children’s mishaps.
“If you’re dropping off your son’s forgotten lunch, books, homework, sports gear, etc., please TURN AROUND and exit the building,” the note bluntly states. “Your son will learn to problem-solve in your absence.” The emphasis on “son” is no accident, as this establishment is dedicated to boys.
Thompson explained to TODAY Parents, “Teenage boys often hit the default switch of calling parents to swoop in and fix their issues. We encourage them to resist that urge and think creatively about solving their own problems.”
For parents of younger kids, this might seem like a distant concern, but it turns out kids with constant access to cell phones frequently text their parents for forgotten items. This isn’t a novel predicament; a Florida principal made headlines last year for a similar declaration, stating, “We do not accept dropped-off items like lunches and homework. Please plan accordingly.”
Back in my teenage years, asking my parents to bring me anything to school would have been unthinkable—after all, these are not elementary school kids, but young adults who need to learn responsibility for their belongings.
However, not all parents are on board with this tough-love approach. Many feel it’s a bit too harsh, arguing that kids can’t possibly solve problems on an empty stomach or when they’re stressed about forgotten assignments. Comments have ranged from heartfelt pleas for compassion to outright criticism, with some labeling the policy as over-the-top. “No, I don’t agree. If my kids need something, and I can bring it, I will!” one parent exclaimed. Another chimed in, “This isn’t problem-solving, it’s child abuse!”
It’s clear that the note struck a chord, provoking thousands of reactions. No one likes to imagine their child going hungry or struggling academically because of a forgotten item. But as we all know, life doesn’t come with a safety net, and the sooner we teach our kids that, the better prepared they’ll be for adulthood.
For more on parenting and the ups and downs of school life, check out our other blog post, which dives into various approaches to teaching responsibility. And if you’re interested in home insemination tips, this link offers great insights!
In summary, the note from Catholic High School for Boys has sparked a robust debate about parenting styles, responsibility, and the balance of support versus independence.