For some reason this didn't go through the first time, let me try again. As a graduation gift my son's teacher gave him a gift cert. to a record store that not only sells new tapes, cds, dvds, etc, they also let you trade. I went there Saturday to get him another one for his birthday. I fell over when I saw they also sell drug related 'appliances', detoxification products, and other junk I would rather not look at. I'm galled that a teacher gave him a cert. from a place like this and worse- my husband knew they sell that stuff. I couldn't believe he didn't tell me what kind of place that was. I was already in line when I saw all this, as they keeep it all up front. I can't get my money back, because they don't give money refunds. I'm thinking of emailig the principal, to tell him to get his teachers to think twice about what is acceptable to give a teenager. My husband already got my opinion!
:shock: Becky, Yes, I would find that very offensive. There are plenty of other stores out there that sell music-related products; your son's teacher could have bought him a gift certificate from any number of stores. That sounds like a store that I would forbid my child(ren) to go into! Hopefully your son wouldn't be tempted by those things. However, I don't think that sounds like the type of store that you want to "support" financially in any way. That's a shame. Just a sign of the times, I guess. Heidi
I like the smiley you chose, Heidi. That's about how I looked when I noticed the display case! I have no concerns about my son going in there for anything but music, because that's just not him. He likes that you can go there and trade one cd for another, without money. Same thing with videos. I just can't believe they can sell appliances that you can use to smoke dope- it floors me.
The teacher, though she should have checked it out, probably doesn't realize these things are being sold. She was doing something she felt was kind. I would let her know that these things are being sold. I am sure she would be appalled, too.
This was actually a male teacher. He probably thought, like my husband, that my son won't ever go there for the drug related stuff, so no harm done. But, I'm trying to keep this a Christian home and as best I can, be a good Christian model for these kids. I wouldn't dream of sending a child, regardless of whether or not they are 18, into a place like that. To me, it's the same as sending him into a strip joint, same difference. I had a similar issue with a teacher who would treat the class to a movie in class when they earned it. He would choose r rated and pg-13 ones. One of them he chose was The Matrix. I'm sorry, but that's not a movie I want my son to sit through. Another movie had a brief sex scene. When I called the teacher and asked if he cleared these through the office, he admitted he didn't and stopped showing movies at all. Of course, my son got made out to be the bad guy whose mother 'sucks' for putting a stop to the movies. If the teacher had done those on the up and up, they wouldn't have been stopped.
That would make me upset. I don't like going into stores like that. I would let the teacher know nicely.
Becky, That would offend me to no end (but my husband would probably take it in stride and not be as bothered by it). I would approach the teacher who gave the gift certificate and let him know that you were appalled by the selection of 'other' things in the store (it is possible that he didn't know about it). Wait to see his response - if he shoves it off as not being a big deal then approach the principal about your concerns. If the principal doesn't take it serious, take it as far as you need to go to protect all children (regardless of age or belief systems). If it were my son I would be throwing a temper tantrum in any way shape or form to put an end to that kind of stuff. Do you still have the gift certificate that was given to your son by chance? If it were me, I would have stepped out of line and returned the certificate (to the teacher) and said no thanks. Because we are a Christian home, I would never allow anything from that store (or anything similar to that store) in my home - but that's me. Our children don't need any more help being influenced in a bad way - they get enough negative influence everytime they walk out the front door. I'm more shocked that stores would sell that stuff! What are they thinking? I'm so thankful that we don't have that kind of stuff in our community (although there are lots of drug dealers all over the place around here - we have an addict living right below us Hope this can be resolved so that you don't end up stepping on toes. Good Luck! Brenda
My husband is the same way, Brenda. He said ' He won't go in there for a pipe, he's going in there for cheap cds.' I know that, too, but I also know he'll chuckle at the plastic toys they have- the tamest thing being fake dog dirt. But, I also know he'll mostly be scouring the place for the best cd prices. I simply don't want him around the other stuff- not that he appreciates my protection!
