Good for Wakefield Council

The BBC have reported that a father of a two year old boy has been fined £50 as a result of his two year old dropping a sweet on the floor because he didn't like it.

The father is quoted as saying: "How can they expect a two-year-old to be able to put litter in the bin?

Presumably he is one of those parents who think that they are not responsible for their child's behaviour? Our children obviously do not always do what we want but we are responsible for their behaviour and for setting a good example.

When I take my 19 month old out we take one of his Organix snack bars with us. When he has finished it he will put the wrapper in the bin. Already he knows that it is not acceptable to do otherwise; I have not had to tell him this time and time again but have led by example - we put our rubbish in the bin and he sees this behaviour time and time again from his parents and sisters. To put rubbish in the bin is second nature to him, as it should be for all children.

Sadly the father in this news story also seems to have problems understanding what litter is, at least that seems to be the impression given by "And it was a sweet, not litter - it wouldn't have been long before the pigeons ate it."

Perhaps the father in this news report should consider whether he is setting a good example to his son. If he did then I am sure that he would soon be able to answer his own question.

If what Wakefield Council said is accurate (and I don't doubt it for a minute) and the father in question was throwing the sweets, then he deserves the fine he has been given. What a shame that the council are not able to insist that he goes on a parenting course to improve some of his parenting skills - what chance does this boy have of developing a good standard of behaviour when his own father appears ignorant of the correct way to behave in public.

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/5179638.stm)