In Loco Parentis

It always happens. The weather begins to change, the Robins arrive, and those old gardening juices begin to stir deep within our souls. It becomes a test of strength or a test of will not to head to the local garden shops to purchase those Spring plants or those vegetable seedlings because you know its coming, that last cold snap that will murder what you have lovingly put in the ground. It is essential in our area to wait until Good Friday to dig those holes and gently lower those tomato plants or squash plants or cucumbers into the ground. The tiny tendrils of peas or beans will succumb to one night of freezing temperatures as will the tender shoots of corn and peppers therefore it is essential to fight that urge to be one with nature until Good Friday arrives and it is safe to put that garden in.
The following definition is from Wikipedia. In loco parentis used to be widely accepted in learning institutions but given that a large percentage of today’s children receive no discipline at home, it is only natural that they receive no discipline at school.
The term in loco parentis, Latin for "in the place of a parent", refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent. Originally derived from British common law, it is applied in two separate areas of the law.
First, it allows institutions such as colleges and schools to act in the best interests of the students as they see fit, allowing what would otherwise be considered violations of the students' civil liberties.
Second, this doctrine can provide a non-biological parent to be given the legal rights and responsibilities of a biological parent if they have held themselves out as the parent.
In this day and age of political correctness, lack of First Amendment Rights, and our litigious society, learning institutions are afraid to hand out discipline to those they are in charge of. What happened to “if you get a spanking at school you’ll get a worse one at home” or the ruler in the hand or a paddle across the backside? It has not been that long ago that students were afraid to cause problems at school and if we are honest with ourselves children back then did not grow up to be gang members or do drugs or commit suicides or turn into the dregs of society. A huge percentage of the children from homes and schools where discipline was the normal thing grew up to be successful productive adults. Granted some discipline got out of hand and could have been considered child abuse but those things were not reported back then and now a good slap to the backside is considered reason enough to remove the child from the home. We have bent so far in the other direction that we are afraid to speak for fear of offending someone or are afraid to discipline for fear of being sued or afraid to live by our instilled beliefs because we may be plastered all over CNN or considered to be an enemy of the state. Time to pick up the mantle before it is too late and our society deteriorates to nothing.

I looked out my window the other morning and my heart leapt. Standing in my front yard were five does. In broad daylight, 8:45 in the morning, just standing around. I very quietly went out, they did not run but looked at me curiously then meandered off into the woods and disappeared. What a thrill that was.