Dear Mr. Howard,
We have a child that we love very much but he has some behavior problems and is sometimes unpredictable in unfamiliar surroundings. We have done everything in our power to help him and yet there is only so much we can do. We are caught between keeping him home 24 hours a day in our home but we would very much like to vacation as a family and sometimes even dine out. While out we will do everything in our problem to limit any inconvenience to you or anyone else in the restaurant (airplane, clothing store, etc). Please let me know if we have your approval to bring our child out of his home under these circumstances or should we plan on keeping him inside for eternity. Thank you for your consideration.
Please pass along my reply:
Ever try discipline? Thanks to the liberal political correctness that has infected this nation, and the education mafia’s successful attempts to turn as many children as possible into “special needs” children so they can pump them full of ritalin and other psychotropic and “anti-anxiety” drugs, too many people have found a handy excuse for being lazy parents. I sincerely hope that is not the case with you and Riley’s dad. (Riley’s dad IS around, isn’t he? There was no mention of him in the story.)
From the picture Riley looks like a handsome young boy with no obvious physical defects, so I am guessing he “acts out” because he has never received a swat on the behind. Is that a good guess?
The story is sparse with details, so I apologize if there is something serious I am unaware of such as a serious physical defect or some kind of brain damage. If not, and Riley “acts out” because he has never been disciplined, and the government schools have told you he is a “special needs” child, then good luck to you. I mostly feel bad for Riley.
Meanwhile, if you can’t (or refuse to) control Riley’s “acting out”, then please have the courtesy to choose vacation spots and dining establishments where arrangements can be made to minimize the disruption to other paying customers.
Signed,
Mr. Howard