General discussion - Mom and Dad Esq.

[Cletus Miller]

Originally posted by Oliver_Wendell_Ramone
I just learned, from newly 6 year old Ruth Bader Ramone, that her new kindergarten teacher (woman, 50-ish, great reputation) offers birthday spankings to the kids in her class. Having had her birthday the week before school started, my daughter gladly accepted hers, and thought it was very funny.

I had kind of forgotten about the whole birthday spanking tradition. And this seems, to me, an odd thing. Am I wrong to feel a bit uncomfortable with it?

I'm surprised that this "tradition" has survived in public(?) school. I don't think it's a big deal in this instance (tho uncomfortable, true), but I also think that it has always made for a somewhat awkward situation if any given kid objects to it, then they're set up with an undeserved label by the rest of the class who find it "fun".

[nononono]

Originally posted by Oliver_Wendell_Ramone
I just learned, from newly 6 year old Ruth Bader Ramone, that her new kindergarten teacher (woman, 50-ish, great reputation) offers birthday spankings to the kids in her class. Having had her birthday the week before school started, my daughter gladly accepted hers, and thought it was very funny.

I had kind of forgotten about the whole birthday spanking tradition. And this seems, to me, an odd thing. Am I wrong to feel a bit uncomfortable with it?

That's an odd tradition, though kind of sad that a completely fine, fun, silly thing for the kids is probably not something a good portion of parents would want going on, if for no other reason than to err on the side of conservatism. Playful or not, people (we parents, and eveyrone else) have become so suspicious about things (with maybe some good reason) that it now does seem odd to touch a child in that way (and, okay, I never got or heard of birthday spankings growing up), and I can hardly believe it's managed to survive this long.

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by nononono
That's an odd tradition, though kind of sad that a completely fine, fun, silly thing for the kids is probably not something a good portion of parents would want going on, if for no other reason than to err on the side of conservatism. Playful or not, people (we parents, and eveyrone else) have become so suspicious about things (with maybe some good reason) that it now does seem odd to touch a child in that way (and, okay, I never got or heard of birthday spankings growing up), and I can hardly believe it's managed to survive this long.

Hmmm, birthday spankings. A certain special someone is going to be verrry surprised!

[tmdiva]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Hmmm, birthday spankings. A certain special someone is going to be verrry surprised!

I totally remember birthday spankings from growing up (though I'd forgotten all about them until this thread)--maybe they're an Oregon thing? We also used to line up and make the birthday kid crawl between our legs, with each kid giving a spank to the crawlee as em passed.

tm

[nononono]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
Hmmm, birthday spankings. A certain special someone is going to be verrry surprised!

Ooh, good point! Hmmm, no birthdays on the horizon. What do you think of Christmas spankings?

[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by tmdiva
I totally remember birthday spankings from growing up (though I'd forgotten all about them until this thread)--maybe they're an Oregon thing? We also used to line up and make the birthday kid crawl between our legs, with each kid giving a spank to the crawlee as em passed.

tm

No, I remember them too as aresult of this thread, so it was at least a LI and Oregon thing. But I don't recall a teacher ever doing it, it was, as you said, either other kids, or relatives.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
No, I remember them too as aresult of this thread, so it was at least a LI and Oregon thing. But I don't recall a teacher ever doing it, it was, as you said, either other kids, or relatives.

I remember it, but I don't remember which place(s) I lived where this was done. I don't remember if it was at school or at home or with friends or what.

[nononono]

Good for kids (5 and 2.5) or no? Have never attended, but those costumes look kind of kiddie-cool.

[Paisley]

Originally posted by nononono
Good for kids (5 and 2.5) or no? Have never attended, but those costumes look kind of kiddie-cool.

No idea one way or the other, but I am starting to rethink the question of whether or not we are the same person, given the ages of your kids. Hmmm.

[Cletus Miller]

Originally posted by robustpuppy
No, I remember them too as aresult of this thread, so it was at least a LI and Oregon thing. But I don't recall a teacher ever doing it, it was, as you said, either other kids, or relatives.

Also square state midwest. Also no teachers doing it.

[nononono]

Originally posted by Paisley
No idea one way or the other, but I am starting to rethink the question of whether or not we are the same person, given the ages of your kids. Hmmm.

So does that mean you will pick them up at school(s) for me today? Thanks so much!

[Sidd Finch]

Originally posted by Cletus Miller
Also square state midwest. Also no teachers doing it.

In the burbs of NY, we had birthday punches. I don't remember birthday spankings.

The idea of the teacher doing it is somewhere between bizarre and really sick.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by nononono
Good for kids (5 and 2.5) or no? Have never attended, but those costumes look kind of kiddie-cool.

This sort of thing will make for a Terrible Horrible No-Good VEry Bad Day. For all involved.

[Paisley]

Originally posted by nononono
So does that mean you will pick them up at school(s) for me today? Thanks so much!

Oops. I was assuming you would. I'm sure they're fine though.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by taxwonk
This sort of thing will make for a Terrible Horrible No-Good VEry Bad Day. For all involved.

Imagine their embarrassment when nononono pulls out renaissance fair pics to show the kids' future boy- or girlfriends.

Mom, please don't. You're embarrassing me!!!

This is the goal? Future blackmail opportunities?