Parenting Question

I am writing to specifically ask for your advice on an important parenting issue.

The situation I appreciate your feedback on is this:

My nine year-old son’s class went for a field trip to a theater to watch a musical puppet show. My son was not happy about it, and told me that he knew that he would be bored. I encouraged him to be more open-minded, especially since he had never been to see a musical before. He still grumbled, but I didn’t give it a second thought.

After the field trip, I got a call from his teacher. She let me know that my son, along with several of his friends, had not behaved appropriately during the viewing of the musical. At the beginning when the story was being introduced, several boys (including my son) had made booing noises. During the play, they proclaimed (loud enough to be heard) that they were bored and would rather be at school studying than watching the play.

Several parents and teacher chaperones had noticed this behavior and reported it back to his teacher who, in turn, called each of the parents to report it. I was not able to answer her phone call, so I got all the information in a voicemail right before the weekend.

I have since talked to my son about it and he has apologized to me and to his teacher. I have not yet talked about consequences, although I have told him that this would be addressed ‘soon.’ In the past, I have taken away privileges for misconduct. Now, I am looking for a more definite way to address this particular problem. On one hand, he needs to know that this behavior is unacceptable. On the other hand, I want to show him that his actions were hurtful and disrespectful to the artists of the show, and that he needs to have consideration for others.

I also wonder if it is because he should have been exposed to more cultural activities and arts, which we have not done. Perhaps this is something we should have exposed him to sooner?

I would like to be deliberate, rather than just knee-jerk, in my reaction. So, how you would handle this situation? He is normally a very polite boy, and he knows right from wrong. Anyone else come across a similar situation? I am open to any and all positive comments.

Roshni was born and brought up in India, and is now living with her family in California. Her two rambunctious boys – ages 5 and 9 – are the main subjects of her blog, Big A and little a.