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| Thu, 05-13-2004 - 3:30pm |
Deb
Dear Girls:
I am writing this to you to apologize for yelling at our meeting this past Wednesday. I have been with you since September and at every meeting or function I see you divided and arguing. You tease each other, are fresh and often disrespectful, to each other as well as the leaders and Wednesday night it got the best of me. I did the wrong thing by yelling the way I did and for that I apologize. Scouting to me, was supposed to be a fun and enjoyable event for all involved, including the leaders. We should have gotten together as a group and talked these things out instead I reacted in a negative manner, without thinking. My actions should be used as an example of how not to treat each other.
I have often viewed my years as a Girl Scout as fond memories and that is all I really wanted for you girls. However week after week we would continue to have the same problems and I felt that as Girl Scouts we should be better than that. I believed that as scouts we were coming together to work as friends and sisters for a better future for all of us because we want to be together not because we have to be together.
At this time I wanted you to know I will not be returning as a co-leader. I wish each and everyone of you the best life has to offer. I hope you continue with scouting and get all you can out of its daily lessons along with the words you recite at each of your meetings.
Fondly,
Miss Debbie

Deb
Debbie
Imagine that! I'm not surprised they picked on Katie today. They're little brats, "Mean Girls" in training who are getting all the wrong messages from home. I was a little confused by what Katie's feeling. It sounds like she's upset about being the butt of the jokes, but also like she understands why you did what you did by pulling her out of the troop and quitting.
With regard to the note - I'd talk with Katie when she's calmer and find out what she thinks about your plan to send it to each of the girls. She might want you to or she might be heatedly against it, fearing that it will cause her more grief. Your first responsibility is to Katie - I think if she sees you treating her like she's mature, she might surprise you.
For what it's worth, is there a regional scout council you can alert to the goings-on? If this is as out of hand as it seems, I would think they'd be concerned. Maybe someone there can come and have a sit-down with the girls and the leaders. Maybe threaten to disband the troop if things don't improve, or expel the girls who are the trouble-makers.
Just a thought.
You've got a tough job, Deb! All you moms do....
Donna
Really sorry to hear about this whole Girl Scout experience. Both my girls were in scouting and I know that their leader would never have put up with that kind of behavior from her scouts. Although your words may have come across a little louder than you would have liked (as I'm sure mine would have too) I think you did the right thing by speaking up. I have no use for parents who don't teach their children respect towards one another and adults. That is the first thing my daughter presents in her classroom no matter what grade she teaches that the children are to respect each other and respect will be shown to her. It just seems to be the norm these days for parents coming up with excuses for their childrens' behavior and always blaming someone or something else. I think your letter is well written and is a good example for the girls that sometimes our anger gets the best of us and we say things in the wrong way. I know I've done that with my own children when they've gotten the best of me and even though I've been justified in what I was trying to say but presented myself the wrong way. I'm sorry that Katie was teased and made fun of but I think she knows what how these girls act is definitely not the right way.
Susan
Deb
Debbie
I'm just reading the posts on this, so am contributing my 2 cents late. I have to agree with what everyone has said and particularly with what Donna said in response to your first post. That "mean" girl doesn't have a prayer of turning out very well with a mother who lets her control the relationship and does nothing to guide her the way a mother should. The child sounds as though she has emotional problems, or maybe she's just trying her best to get someone to show they care enough about her to set some boundaries for her.
You and Katie are so much better off being away from that group. Life is just too short to subject yourself to that cr*p, especially when you can replace it with a constructive and fun activity you'll actually look forward to. I'm glad you didn't send the letter. They don't deserve
~~Rhonda~~
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That sounds like a plan.
Lori
"Remember, I'm pullin' for ya. We're all in this together." --Red Green
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