Today my reception year son has gone to school with a spare clothes and a towel ready for a water fight. Although he’s very excited he is confused about why he isn’t allowed a water-gun – you see it’s in the name isn’t it “gun.” I guess I can see where the school are coming from on this one as would I be happy to feel that the school were promoting guns to reception age (4-5 years) children – most definitely not. Why we tend to see water-guns as something different I don’t know. Maybe it’s because it was my compromise as to what I found acceptable for me to have at home, as my boys used to use their imaginations (lollipop stick guns) or always begged for toy guns at fairs. Some may feel even that is over the top and that toys are toys – and actually we just need to teach our children the difference.
Anyway, I digress, what this got me to thinking about is how many rules do we actually need for children? There’s a free club set up in the holidays by a charity and the lady told me that they wanted to have the children for the day, but that there’s so much red tape involved in giving the children lunch that it just wasn’t feasible. Do children need this much protection? Can parents not make decisions anymore? Or are there too many vulnerable children because parents aren’t making the “right” choices?
And how much should schools be able to decide? With when you can go on holiday; what you can eat (the packed lunch debate); whether you are allowed to take photographs and when; if they can use social media – are just some of the things that I have come across. What next – will schools be able to dictate what time our children go to bed?
What do you think? Do we need all these rules? Should schools be able to decide so much?
Such an interesting question! I recently had to wade through a 2 page list of rules for a weekend school trip for my eldest. It makes me sad when I see so many rules in place now and I too wonder when it became necessary for this behaviour to become the norm. It seems we are so busy trying to protect our kids sometimes we don’t allow the opportunities for them to explore and make mistakes anymore!
What an interesting post. I often wonder if all these rules are really to protect the children or mostly to protect the school from getting criticised/sued- it seems like everything’s gone crazy. I think parents should be given the choice and the responsibility to accept the consequences, and as much as possible children too. ps I’m fine with water guns although I am totally anti the real thing. I truly can’t believe that having a good old water fight on scorching days like this is going to make a child any more agressive in the future.
Most of the rules are ridiculous. I disagree very resentfully against a LOT of school policies and then there are other areas that are neglected where there should be rules. And that’s in an outstanding school!
It’s a sad old world when it comes to this kind of stuff. But unfortunately there are too many people incapable of making good decisions, or taking advantage of the more flimsy rules. Great thought provoking post! #PoCoLo
I think there are too many rules put into place because the minority need them. #PoCoLo
Red tape is strangling creativity! People are so worried about the ifs and buts, they can’t enjoy the now. I know some rules need to be there, but it does seem every week there is another rule! #pocolo
I think it is becoming ridiculous! Growing up there was never this much ‘red tape’ and rules and I think I turned out pretty OK! I do think some are needed obviously otherwise the world would run riot but it is turning into utter madness!
Popping over from pocolo, the packed lunch thing would be hilarious if they weren’t serious. It’s one thing to say no fizzy sweets etc but to imply (or actually they came out and said it didn’t they) that parents are incapable of providing a nutritionally balanced packed lunch is, quite frankly, offensive. Anyway I got distracted by the handy soap box I found in the corner – lovely post and I hate kids with guns but we also have water pistols. x
I don’t agree at all with the packed lunches thing, but don’t see how that could ever happen. How on earth would it be funded?! The other stuff I pretty much do agree with. The children are the school’s responsibility while they are there. The rules on the whole are to keep them safe and they have to apply to everyone or it would make school life very difficult.
I feel that they is far too much red tape involved – there was none of this when we were younger and we’re all ok! Thanks for linking to PoCoLo x
Totally agree with this. There was far less red tape when I was at school and we were all fine!
This is what constantly astounds me. The government complain about lazy and/or ill-informed parents and can’t seem to see that this is exactly why parents don’t try harder or decide things as much.
Parents no longer have authority already, the government won’t stop until we have no control over our families either.