Discipline for the leaders' kids

[scoutaholic]

I also am a SM who has a son in the troop. Many troops have a similar situation, and a balance has to be reached in how to handle discipline as SM and as a father.

My son knows that he will not get any special treatment in scouts. He is expected to do his duties at camp the same as everyone else, and he has to meet the requirements for ranks the same as everyone else. He knows that any problems with him are more likely to get reported to the parent at home, and even minor infractions that the other boys get away with have sometimes gotten him a lecture from his mother.

In our troop, my son is not the discipline problem. He is the boy most interrested in scouting skills, and advancements. The difficulty with him seems to come in slowing him down so the other boys don't get left behind in advancements and MBs. Many of the other boys need to be working on skills and MBs that my son has already completed, and it becomes difficult to plan activities that they need, while still keeping it interresting for my son.

[Chief J]

In our troop, my son is not the discipline problem. He is the boy most interrested in scouting skills, and advancements. The difficulty with him seems to come in slowing him down so the other boys don't get left behind in advancements and MBs. Many of the other boys need to be working on skills and MBs that my son has already completed, and it becomes difficult to plan activities that they need, while still keeping it interresting for my son.

I have a question, why would you want to slow him down? If he is interested and motivated, why would you want to keep him on pace with the other scouts?

I'm confused,
Chief J

[lifescoutforlife]

I also want to weigh in again, sounds like a very positive first step by talking with the youth involved. Now you need to talk to the SM. I agree with comments above, if this is the issue and he is otherwise performing his job, then focus on this issue and come to an understanding that his son is a disruption and his perception is hurting the Troop.

In our Troop, I allow the ASM's the right to correct all unacceptable behaviors and I will support them in this effort, especially if it includes my son. Generally, one of the ASM's "looks after" my son, and I do the same for his son, that way we deal with leader's addressing the situation, and not parent's. We have found this works well for us as it diffuses alot of emotions between the leaders.

Hopefully a mentoring session with your SM will be the final piece needed to fix the situation,

This also works well in sports when different dad's coach.
Chief J