Jenn Brown, a mother from Harrow, Ontario, took a firm stand when she discovered her boys misbehaving, particularly after they were impolite to their bus driver. Faced with reports of their “poor bus conduct” from the primary school, Jenn believed she had to address the issue decisively. While some praised her innovative approach, others criticized her, leading to widespread debate.
Determined to teach her sons, aged 7 and 10, the importance of respect, Jenn decided that if they couldn’t behave on the bus, they wouldn’t ride it. Instead, they would walk to school, regardless of the weather. To drive home this lesson, she had them walk one morning, and she shared a photo of their journey on Facebook, which quickly went viral.
Jenn’s sons were spotted on their way to school carrying a banner that read, “Being unpleasant and disrespectful to our bus driver.” The banner also stated, “Mom is making us walk,” as a consequence for their misbehavior. Jenn had warned her boys that if their behavior didn’t improve, they wouldn’t be allowed back on the bus. She opted for a strict approach to emphasize the importance of respecting others and their privileges.
Despite receiving criticism for her tactics, Jenn defended her decision, stating, “This was my response as a mother to make kids realize the bus is a luxury, not a given right.” She acknowledged that the 7.2-kilometer walk was indeed a significant distance, but she felt it was necessary to teach them a lesson. The boys’ journey took them two hours to cover the distance of just under 4.5 kilometers.
Brown explained that it was her friend’s idea to use the sign, which received significant criticism from those who disagreed with her approach. She believed the sign would deter others from offering the boys a ride and viewed it as a practical measure. However, it was the sign and the subsequent social media post that sparked the debate. Many people accused her of “shaming” her children and condemned her actions.
Reflecting on the situation, the mother expressed regret for uploading the photograph, as she had not anticipated it would go viral. She admitted surprise at the level of interest in seeing her accompany her children to school. She stated unequivocally that she would not have posted it on Facebook had she known the outcome. This experience taught her about the power of social media and how individuals interpret and construct narratives based on their perceptions.
However, not everyone disagreed with Brown’s approach. She also received significant praise, with numerous friend requests and inbox emails commending her actions. Brown shared that the two-hour walk allowed her sons some private time together and even received a note from the bus driver expressing gratitude for the lesson she provided to her boys.
Brown expressed satisfaction in actively intervening in her children’s behavior and noted that the bus driver appreciated her efforts to instill discipline in them. Reflecting on the experience, Brown affirmed that she would make the same decision again but expressed regret about using the sign, clarifying that she was the one holding it for most of the walk.
Addressing accusations of “shaming” her children, Brown emphasized that it was never her intention to do so. However, she questioned whether instilling a sense of “shame” in her children, if it occurred, was inherently negative. She pondered whether harmful actions should provoke feelings of regret.