Do you think this punishment mom gave me for breaking medical orders was fair?

Question

I'm 14, love swimming, but I had a problem with my nose and my dr tolld me to avoid swimming until I get better. I'm a wise boy, goy good grades, follow the rules, but I broke this medical rule, I love swimming. My mom is wonderful and we get along but after breaking that rule for the 4th she gave a punishment. She took me to the kitchen, made me put on a sweet frilly full apron and for 1 hour I had to do some chores wearing it. I got embarrassed, asked her to let me take it off but she said No, hun, I love ya but you have to learn to respect medical orders, for your best. And didn't back off. And told me if I disrespecr medical orders again I'll put on that frilly apron again. I know it was out of love but I got kinda embarrassed, though only my mom saw me in that apron. Ok, now I'm following strictly what my dr told me to do, but I think that punishment was embarrassing and unfair, after all Im a good boy, didnt do anything bad to anyone,

Answer 1

I think it was a suitable punishment. My mother did exactly the same thing to my brother.He was outside throwing stones and wouldn't stop when told, so our mother went and dragged him inside to help us girls doing the dishes. As we allways wore an apron when doing housework she picked out one of her most feminine aprons went into the yard and said "seeing as you can't behave yourself out here come inside and help the girls with their chores" she was tying the apron on him as she was speaking. After we had finished he had to mop the floor on his own stilll wearing the full apron while we sat down to draw. Dad came in and nearly threw a fit seeing his son in an apron moping the floor and us allthough still aproned sitting down playing, but just said, serves you right when he got all the facts. It served the purpose of getting him to be more respectfull towards mom, mom just had to say "where's an apron for ........." to get his attention. And if we wanted to have a laugh we relive his apron moment with his friends.

Answer 2

Well darlin' she has a way of parenting that is far and above better than some parents do. A little embarrassment as you described, doesn't bruise you, batter you, break bones or spirit...it does however teach a consequence for an action (or lack of) in a way that is persuasive enough to get the point across without damaging you.

Yes, it may have been embarrassing however don't be surprised if you find yourself parenting in this manner when you become a parent.

More than likely your mom won't have to use this method of "punishment" again because it sounds like she raised a good kid who learns quickly and retains what he learns.

You have a great mom...and she has a great son...good combination

Answer 3

I really don't think humiliation as a punishment is a good idea. I would have been really mad if it were me. If she really wanted to make an impression, she could have grounded you from swimming longer than the doctor said, or computer, TV, or stuck-at-home grounding. Humiliation only breeds resentment. Also, in this day & age, CPS might have something to say about that particular form of punishment.

Answer 4

If she made you wear anything more than the apron or made you go outside or to school in it, or other people saw you, it would be inappropriate.

As it is you just got embarrassed and now you're sticking to the line. So it sucks, but it's not going to happen again.

Answer 5

I'm halfway to assuming that this was a joke posting, but I'm going to treat it as a serious one.

You said you "didn't do anything bad to anyone" by failing to follow your doctor's orders. Well, actually, you did do something bad to someone-- to your mom.

You probably take her caring for you for granted, because good moms take good care of their kids, so it might not have occurred to you that by disobeying doctor's orders and possibly prolonging/worsening your medical condition, you make life harder for her. But that's exactly what you're doing: if you need to go to the doctor again, who has to make the appointment and most likely accompany you to the doctor? Perhaps mom? Who has to make sure that any prescriptions you need are filled and pick them up at the pharmacy? Perhaps your mom? If you become bedridden or need extra care of some kind, who has to deal with it? Maybe mom?

Also, even if you belong to an HMO and medical costs are minimal, doctor's visits and prescriptions still usually cost something. Money spent on these things may mean money not spent on other things.

And there's the intangible issue of worry. I'm a mother and you better believe that when my child is sick with something, even if my child is apparently well enough to disregard doctor's orders and go swimming, I'm worried about what that may do to my child's health. The worry may be somewhat selfish-- geez, what is this going to do to my life and routine if my child gets sicker/stays sick longer; or it may be purely altruistic-- my child doesn't understand how sick this could make him/her, I don't want my child to suffer. But it's definitely there.

Perhaps your mom is attempting not necessarily to humiliate you and force compliance, but to get you to think about what your actions are doing to HER. And maybe you need to start thinking about that, instead of only about how you feel.

Answer 6

You are following what the Dr. directed arn't you? So your mom's punnishment worked quite well. Though I do not know your condtion, there is a reason the Dr. told you to avoid swimming. And no you didn't hurt anyone, it was yourself you may have hurt. Dr.'s orders should be respected, as they are there for your well being.

Answer 7

If you don't follow doctors orders, something really serious could happen to you. I think your mother would rather you wear the silly apron, and teach you a lesson. Rather than letting you do what ever you want and find you seriously ill. Think to yourself, what if it was the other way around? If your mother fell ill, wouldn't you want her to follow doctors orders?

Answer 8

And would you still be thinking that you were such a good boy, if it affected your hearing and later on in life you weren't able to hear??? You should stick to listening to your mom and your doctor. And yes, putting the apron was inappropriate. But, try listening to your mother.

Answer 9

Lol, Lol, Lol, hun, what a sweet punishment, your mom loves you so much, she just taught you a lesson out of love. And you're a great kid! But pleaaaaase, follow your dr orders hun, ok?

Answer 10

Yesterday - you wouldn't listen to your doctor...
today - you won't listen to your mother...
tomorrow - you won't listen to your teachers...

Adults normally follow the directions of their doctors.. if not, then they get to pay the doctor even more to cure something worse.. or.. their family has to pay funeral costs...

It is VERY IMPORTANT to follow the directions of your doctor or perhaps you would prefer to not be able to smell, or you would prefer for everything to taste funny...

In 7 years you will have forgotten this occasion, but your mother probably will not.