Now THIS is parental responsibility

May 18, 2007
By Billy Dennis

No doubt there are educational psychologists, liberal school board members and other twits who would call this an example of bad parenting:

TEMECULA, Calif. – A seventh-grade girl got suspended from school for a week for bullying another student. Then Mom got involved, and things got worse for Miasha Williams.

During the suspension week, the 12-year-old’s mother, Ivory Spann, made her daughter stand outside various schools with a poster reading: “I engaged in bullying behavior. I got suspended from school and this street corner. Don’t be like me. Stop bullying.”

“I don’t want that kind of environment at the school my child attends, or the school any child attends,” Spann said.

I was a big ol’ nerd in school, so I wasn’t in a position to bully anybody. But if I had — or done anything to warrant a phone call from the principal — my mom would have sent me out to get the switch she was planning to use on me. So, yes, I am impressed with mother Spann’s actions. I’m also willing to bet she’s one of those annoying mom’s who actually attends parent/teacher conferences … and asks questions.

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9 Responses to “ Now THIS is parental responsibility ”

  1. Mahkno on May 18, 2007 at 7:59 am

    ** claps in approval **

    Hero tag for mom.

  2. Cory on May 18, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    That is outstanding! Apparently, this parent has quite a sense of humor.

  3. Alex on May 18, 2007 at 12:57 pm

    I’m betting that was very effective! I wish my parents had been this creative in punishments when I was a kid! I gave them little chance, though; I was also a “big ol’ nerd.”

  4. Ivory Spann (parent of Miasha Williams) on May 19, 2007 at 4:11 pm

    Thank everyone for seeing that I am a responsible parent and understanding why I took this action for my daughter. Despite what any psychologist might say or will say, my daughter is perfectly fine. She stills tells me she loves me, she is still being a 12 year old girl and she is not walking around in some state of depression. My child knows why I had to render such a powerful form of discipline.

  5. Ivory Spann (parent of Miasha Williams) on May 19, 2007 at 4:16 pm

    Oh by the way, I am one of those annoying mothers that attends the parent/teachers conference and ask all the questions. THANKS FOR THE COMPLIMENT.

  6. BJ Stone on May 20, 2007 at 1:26 am

    Ivory, I think you did a great thing to teach your daughter right from wrong, good for you, but I just wanted to say that Billy, (the guy who made the “annoying” comment) is totally on your side not only for that, but for the attending conferences and asking questions, too. I think he completely intended for his remark to be a compliment to you and a slam at some who complain about parents being TOO active. Billy’s on your side 100%, and so are the rest of us who have commented. Well done!

  7. Philisa H on May 20, 2007 at 4:00 pm

    We all support you, Ms Spann, and personally I think you have a wonderful daughter too, even if she made a bad mistake. But I read somewhere that now the school is going to expel her? I hope that doesn’t happen, after she’s taken her punishment with such grace and dignity. I will be praying that God gives Miasha the strength to bear any more punishment if He so wills it, but I do so hope that He lets this be the end and that the authorities allow her to finish the school year with her class. Please, would you and Miasha also say a prayer for all of us.

  8. Ivory Spann (parent of Miasha Williams) on May 20, 2007 at 6:18 pm

    BJ, I apologize if you thought I took the gentleman by the name of “Billy” comment as offensive. I know he supported my daughter and I. I was just replying to his comment and thanking him. I was actually funny because when my children were younger and had parent-teacher conferences, they would ask me before going to the meetings “Mom would you please not ask every question in the book?” So Billy, again I thank you and please know that I did not think you were one of the ones that believe my daughter is going to suffer from some kind of “POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER or be mentally messed up for the rest of her life.

  9. Ivory Spann (parent of Miasha Williams) on May 20, 2007 at 6:48 pm

    Philisa H, Thanks for your support. Yes, I do have a wonderful daughter and she knows that I am going to do what I have to do as a loving and caring parent to keep her that way. My daughter cares and has feelings. I do not know if you read the article from latimes.com, if not please do. You will find a comment from the vice principal at her school stating “I would not put the title of bully on this child” and neither do I. She was amongst a group of other students that confronted a child that made a racist comment. All of the children were given appropriate discipline by the school and I hope at home as well. I support the school just as well as they support me. Miasha is not a problem child, she is among many of us that have made bad choices. It is my parental responsibility, not a judge or school officials to teach my child with all actions there are consequences, whether good or bad.

    Thank you for your support.