Ok, now I'm HOT!!!!!

And I don't mean in a good way either....

Cabell County (WV) schools have decided to remove all the swing sets at all the elementary schools in the county. Why? Because of lawsuits. Because someone's kid showed off and fell off a swing and got hurt. Because no one takes responsibility for their own actions anymore.

I'm not a hard-ass. I don't like seeing anyone, especially kids, get hurt. I sincerely hope that the child has no permanent damage from his/her fall. But I equally dislike the use of the court system and lawsuits just because "my baby got a boo-boo." Teach your kid to keep their hands on the chains of the swing. Teach them to not swing superhigh just to show off. Teach them not to do flips and somersaults on the playground equipment--yes my daughter I am talking to you!!

But at least my daughter knows if after the warnings and the orders to cease and desist the inappropriate behavior, she continues and gets hurt...it's her fault....and she is liable to get punished on top of the boo boo just for being stupid. They have to learn...and no I am not saying I would beat her where she got hurt--I'm talking about no playground time or being grounded mostly....maybe a swat on the butt, but a discipline befitting the behavior......and why am I even trying to justify the fact that she would be disciplined for disobeying? (answer--b/c some dumbass out there will totally believe I would abuse my child for being stupid.....that's how dumbasses think).

If, and this is a big if, the teachers on playground duty were completely negligent in their duty, or if the swings were not kept in repair---by the way, from what I've seen, they are in better shape than mine at home, and my child plays on them all the time--- You know that would be a different story. But showing off to friends and getting hurt in the process? Bust their behinds and take away the privilege of playing on the swings or other equipment with their friends.

Teach your child personal responsibility. Big catch-phrase with me...My kids hear it all the time. Teach them to think 3 steps ahead. Teach them--and show them---that there are consequences for their actions. Some are minor and some are major. Sometimes it's worth a bandaid or even an ER trip to drive the point home.

Our school system is not the only one in the country taking the action of removing playground equipment. Parents and lawyers who are sue happy over the slightest thing are at fault. Courts and judges who continue to allow such lawsuits to clog up their dockets are also at fault. What's next? Should I recollect all the skinned knees and bruises my kids have come home from school with over the years and sue the schools? How about suing because the cafeteria food sucks and my kid won't eat it? Here's one for you-----I could sue the school board for starting school early enough in the day that my son has to stand out next to a main road, heavily traveled, in the dark and wait to catch the school bus in the mornings. I think I'll sue because he got a B instead of an A on a test. Give me a break.

Go home and grow up.