Butterball

I got word that one of my favorite juveniles from the juvenile correction center earned his release and will be going home in a week. I passed on the "I'm proud of you" message to him through a friend who works there and he sent a "Thanks for everything" type one back. It reminded me of a nice little story.

We will call this kid Tom. Tom was like a little butterball when he came to the facility. He was round and a good 70 pounds overweight. One day him and I had this long talk about his goals, his life and perverse behaviors he needed to work through and change. He told me how he was going to do his best to work program and get out. Blah, Blah, Blah....Ok, skip to the next day.

I come on cottage and ask my fellow co-worker what has been going on (I came in at 2pm) She informs me that Tom is standing out of check because he doesn't want to run the mile. (Out of check is when they are refusing to take accountability for a negative behavior and the group stands together in a circle and offers help until the out of check juveniles takes accountability for his behavior).

So, I go in the room and he is crying and saying he just doesn't want to run the mile even though he knows it is part of PE and required. So, I say "Hmm, let me get this straight I talked to you about goals and yada yada yada for a couple hours last night and within a 24 hour period you are standing out of check because you are to lazy to run the mile. Well, guess what? You don't get to lie to Ms. Phillips. (I then walked through the circle and stood in front of him) and you will take accountability this very moment and run the mile and prove yourself a man of his word. NOW! RIGHT NOW!"

Tom, butterball, immediately says "Ok, I see my problem and take accountability for an authority problem, my solution is to run the mile...and like it."

I laughed so hard! He never, ever acted out again. I think he was afraid of me. Hmm...