"My Child is an Honor Student at......"

[auntpolly]

Let's see what kind of minority I'm part of . A nearby town got a principal that got rid of the bumper stickers his first day on the job and folks are angry. They seem to think that the kids will be crushed and lose motivation without them. I think they've become a joke and the kids know it. Am I wrong? DD has been out of Middle School for some time and maybe I've just lost touch.

(PS - I like the one: My Child is Inmate of the month at the ____ Correctional Institution. )

 

[ckay87]

Maybe if I understood why he got rid of them. Was it the cost?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I wouldn't put one on my car, unless it was the one that said "My honor student can beat up your honor student!"

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

no, you're right, those things are a joke....and if that's the only motivation a kid needs to do well in school, well that's sad

 

[poohandwendy]

I always thought the stickers were pretty stupid. LOL, I hardly think bumper stickers are what motivates honors students to do well in school. Sounds like the parents are a bunch of crybabies...

 

[auntpolly]

Maybe if I understood why he got rid of them. Was it the cost?

I think he agreed with me. Parents are quite peeved.

 

[rubyslipperlover]

my daughters attend school in a district that prides itself on academic achievement (e.g. we've had many Intel semifinalists, over 86% of our students go on to some sort of 4 year college, etc.) amd we have NEVER had a bumper sticker for honor students.

it's just a way for parents to brag. and I do believe we parents don't need a stupid bumper sticker to get us bragging about our kids.

 

[Sandy V.]

They seem to think that the kids will be crushed and lose motivation without them.

Considering that middle school kids don't drive, the bumper stickers seem (to me) to be more for parents' egos than that of the kids.

I'm like you; a little old-fashioned in this regard. I personally feel that today's kids have been so "propped up" (as to their self-esteem) by their parents that they have a hard time feeling good about themselves on their own.

And this comes from a parent with teenagers - well behaved teenagers who get good grades. Praise is good, don't get me wrong. It's certainly better than tearing a child down with constant criticism. But there seems to be an expectation among a lot of youth that I see that they'll get recognized for every good thing they do, and it's not healthy (or realistic).

 

[auntpolly]

Considering that middle school kids don't drive, the bumper stickers seem (to me) to be more for parents' egos than that of the kids.

.

LOL good point! And DD used to say that they give them out to so many kids that you had to be practically flunking out not to get one anyway.

 

[Bob Slydell]

I've always wondered, if your child drops off the honor roll one semester, does someone come over to your house and rip the bumper sticker off your car?

 

[Twinkles6892]

I've always wondered, if your child drops off the honor roll one semester, does someone come over to your house and rip the bumper sticker off your car?

I've been getting all A's and B's since I was 10. I got an honor roll sticker for my parents car (It says "Proud Parent of A Bangor High School Honor Student) the first quarter. Mom and Dad were waiting to put it on the car until all the sand and such was off the roads. Lo and behold, 3rd quarter I got my first C since 4th Grade. My dad refuses to put it on the car because I'm not an Honor Student anymore I'm actually kind of hurt.

And that C, was in an Honors class.

 

[Beth76]

I don't put bumper stickers on my cars, but if I did I sure as heck wouldn't put one of those on my car. I agree with the posters that say the parents are just mad because they won't be able to drive a brag-mobile anymore.

 

[luvflorida]

They seem to think that the kids will be crushed and lose motivation without them.

My kids have always been honor roll students and they've always given out these bumper stickers in middle school and I've always hate them! If any of my kids really wanted me to put the sticker on my car, I would have. Truth be told, none of my kids ever wanted the sticker on our cars. If they thought for a second that I might put it on a car, it would be motivation for them NOT to make honor roll again!

 

[tinksgirl]

I have 2 teens and never had to worry about one of those bumper stickers falling into our hands,you see i tend to raise under achievers they are very happy with the non honor roll status.

 

[Disney Doll]

I see those honor roll bumper stickers the same way I see the "gifted" thing...if everyone is special, then no one is, because special, gifted, honor roll...whatever...has just become the norm.

 

[pw2pp]

I had gotten one from the school one time but never put it on my car. My DD didn't care, she knows I don't "do" bumper stickers.

 

[disykat]

I'm amazed. Every parent I know thinks they're tacky and lives in fear that their child will want them to put one on their car. I never understand why everything has to be such a big deal. I have one child on honor roll and one not and I'm equally proud of both for different reasons.

We starting the "6th grade promotion" mess right now. I'm surprised I'm not going to be stuck with a "my child graduated from 6th grade - woohoo!" sticker.

 

[elemusing]

I am a teacher and we don't use those in our school system and here's why: They could pose a small threat to your child at the school. Police in our town have suggested that they don't like these because a child molester or kidnapper, etc. who is watching your house or car, etc. knows exactly where your child goes to school with one of those on your car. That leaves the school open for the person to go to school to abduct your child. If the school is not careful when a person comes in to check out your child early or to pick up your child from the car rider line, etc., the person could pose as an adult who is there to pick up your child. He or she could say, "I'm a friend of your mother's. . .she couldn't come to pick you up because she has been in an accident. . . or something like that.

I also have a problem with those stickers that people are putting on the back of their vehicles that have a picture of the activity the child is involved in, say like a football with their jersey number with the child's name. A person could come up to your child and even call them by name. The child may think the person knows him or her because the stranger called him or her by name.

Some of you probably think this is stretch, but I feel it is better safe than sorry.

Angie

 

[Feralpeg]

Recently, I saw a bumper sticker that said "My Golden Retriever is smarter than your honor student".

 

[auntpolly]

Well, I'm glad to see I'm not alone! When I think about it, it's not the recognizing your child's achievement so much (it is kind of the bragging about it, though) as much as it is doing it in such an ubiquitous way. I mean, it's kind of like in the Seinfeld episode where the lady yells to the runners "You're all winners!!!" (uh, thanks).

If DD had a studied really hard and got a good grade on a test, we celebrated. If she achieved a time she was working toward in swimming, we rejoiced. Within our family. And in a personal way.