How annoyed should I be?

[cville]

Now that the actual couch is handled, I think we can turn to the important things. Like figuring out how best to memorialize this encounter, with two purposes in mind:

1. Ensuring that for the rest of his life you have a "remember when you did that boneheaded thing" example to explain why you're not agreeing to something he's proposing.

2. Making him and his cohorts legend at the school for decades to come.

[ohgillian]

My kid would absolutely be in trouble with me for doing this. I'm not sure what I would come up with, but it would be on top of them having to relocate the couch.

[rosiebear]

An apology email for wasting time and being an annoyance. No other punishment or consequence now that the couch is gone.

Too bad they couldn’t have it delivered to JD Vance!

[glw]

Sept 25, 2024 7:04:25 GMT -5 cville said:

Now that the actual couch is handled, I think we can turn to the important things. Like figuring out how best to memorialize this encounter, with two purposes in mind:

1. Ensuring that for the rest of his life you have a "remember when you did that boneheaded thing" example to explain why you're not agreeing to something he's proposing.

2. Making him and his cohorts legend at the school for decades to come.

I was thinking a bronze plaque for the Abandoned Couch Memorial Bike Rack.

[formerlyak]

Sept 24, 2024 19:04:24 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Does the theatre department need a prop? 😂

This was my first thought as well! 🤣

[mommyatty]

I feel like this was a missed opportunity. Dress the couch up for Halloween! Decorate it for Christmas! Drape it in green for St Paddy’s Day! Get heart pillows for Valentine’s Day. I mean, this couch could have been an important part of school culture.

Sigh, grown ups have zero imagination. #imwiththeboys

[stemmie]

This is worthy of nothing more than an eyeroll and the responsibility for disposing of it in a responsible manner.

[DotAndBuzz]

Sept 25, 2024 7:04:25 GMT -5 cville said:

Now that the actual couch is handled, I think we can turn to the important things. Like figuring out how best to memorialize this encounter, with two purposes in mind:

1. Ensuring that for the rest of his life you have a "remember when you did that boneheaded thing" example to explain why you're not agreeing to something he's proposing.

2. Making him and his cohorts legend at the school for decades to come.

For point number 1, he would be receiving a couch Christmas ornament. Like, order that TODAY. 😂

[Deleted]

I think you’re right to be annoyed, but it sounds like this was handled pretty well. The couch has been properly disposed of, and I think they learned a lesson. Also, the whole process demonstrates that they’re problem-solvers (though maybe they need to think the whole project through before starting the execution phase). On par for HS boys.

I do think I’d ask him to write an apology to the AP for wasting his time, and detailing what lessons he’s taking away from this. As someone who deals with adolescents and their issues most of the day (albeit mine are college students), there’s so much negative stuff that I deal with on a daily basis like bad home life, financial struggles, medical issues, academic stress, mental health…a stolen couch would make me smile and chuckle a little, and I wouldn’t mine the distraction from all the other emotionally taxing stuff I deal with all the time.

[sparkythelawyer]

OMG this is funnier than it should be because its not happening to me :-)

[sparkythelawyer]

Sept 24, 2024 18:14:51 GMT -5 sofamonkey said:

Well, I’d find someplace comfortable to sit and think about it for a bit…

And we have a winner!  Thanks for playing, internet, feel free to come back tomorrow and try again :-)

[esdreturns]

Sept 25, 2024 6:43:03 GMT -5 UMaineTeach said:

They can walk it right back where it came from.

Put that thing back from where it came from or so help me!

[fryjack2]

If this is the worst thing my kids do in high school,I’ll be thrilled.

Not sure I would punish them but for sure they would have to figure out a situation to remove the couch on their own with a timeline (sounds like they did).

And apologize to the AP. Im sure they have encountered many similar shenanigans over the years because high schoolers are dumb, but they still deserve an apology.

[eb777888]

I'm with the majority here and would ask "so, what's the plan to fix this?" Which, sounds like already happened. So, well done! lol

[Roc A Bee]

I’d probably question him: what was the plan? Who thought of this? Then I’d probably point out that doing stupid shit with your friends can lead to trouble and to THINK before you do. This was harmless but you know peer pressure and all that.

I wouldn’t punish.

[meanie]

Bahahaha

Of all the things they could be doing in their free time, this seems like nbd and a really funny story for when they are older. Obviously they will apologize, but I wouldn't do much other than that punishment-wise.

[meganew]

Stories like this are how teachers make it through the day. Yes, there are very serious issues that weigh on your heart- but did you hear about the 3 kids who brought a couch to school for no reason? Lol.

[mysteriouswife]

Please tell me you got a photo. Also we need an update since it’s been 24 hours. There has to be a rumor mill or stories circulating at this point

[lo]

I’m a teacher and I think it’s funny. Also, schools get rid of large pieces of furniture ( bookcases, desks, etc) all the time, so they just should have thrown it in a dumpster and been done with it.

[raleighnc]

www.etsy.com/listing/1789870621/personalized-couch-ornament?gpla=1&gao=1&

Attachments:

[heygrey]

Sept 25, 2024 22:30:19 GMT -5 lo said:

I’m a teacher and I think it’s funny. Also, schools get rid of large pieces of furniture ( bookcases, desks, etc) all the time, so they just should have thrown it in a dumpster and been done with it.

Do you have a dumpster on site that can handle a couch? We do not at my school, so it would require a work order for large garbage removal and the district would charge our school for that. I do think this prank was funny and the students/parents handled it, but I definitely do not think the school should have been responsible for the removal of the couch either physically or financially. 

[lo]

I don’t know what the official process is, but I’ve seen large furniture thrown into the dumpster on site at our school.

[kath16]

lol

well... yes, i would make them fully handle removal of it - cost, logistics. other than that, if the school was light hearted about it, maybe make sure that they tell whoever it was that called you that they took care of it so he doesn't have to worry about it?

[jwright]

I'm not a parent but trying to picture my mom and she would definitley be on board for my financing the immediate removal, an apology, and a LONG lecture about disrespect.

[redheadk]

I would be mildly annoyed but also find it funny. I’d make sure the couch was removed and make my child do the work to ensure it happens but that’s about it. And probably ask him wtf he was thinking out of curiosity.

[bugandbibs]

Your son is a pretty good kid. I'd just roll my eyes and tease him about it whenever I saw a piece of furniture on the side of the road. I think that having to remove the couch themselves was enough to make the situation "right". I would probably add in a discussion about thinking things through when peers suggest stuff and what could have been the potential problems from this (ie, someone getting hurt, costs for removal, less forgiving admin at school, etc...) This is a low stakes learning opportunity.