I.E. father intervenes Escorts son around school

Abstract

Hand-in-hand with 15-year-old Vincent Benjamin Jr., Upland resident Vincent Benjamin Sr. has guided his son around the Ontario campus since Wednesday, sitting in on his classes and monitoring his behavior.

Typically, [Bob Godinez] said, the potential embarrassment of having a parent on the scene is enough to motivate a teen.

"I don't expect him to get straight A's. All he has to do is do his best to get me away from here,' Benjamin said. "But if he doesn't do it, I'll be back here. And it will be different. He'll be wearing one of those child harnesses on his chest.'

Hand-in-hand with 15-year-old Vincent Benjamin Jr., Upland resident Vincent Benjamin Sr. has guided his son around the Ontario campus since Wednesday, sitting in on his classes and monitoring his behavior.

"It's not about embarrassment, it's about love,' said the father.

With Vincent Jr. in tow Thursday afternoon, Benjamin said he has tried everything to get his son to improve his academic performance and get to class.

"I took it all away,' the father said. "I took away the TV. Took away the DVD player. Took away the GameBoy and Xbox. His bike has cobwebs on it.'

After his wife called with news of an outburst in one of their freshman son's classes, Benjamin said his employer understood when he asked for time off this week.

Vincent acknowledged that having his father at school was embarrassing.

"I think my dad cares for me and wants me to do the right thing,' he said, with his father looking on.

Bob Godinez, a veteran Chaffey High counselor, said such interventions happen occasionally and are positive for both the students and their parents.

"From the parents' point of view, it either debunks or verifies what their kids are saying about what's going on the classroom,' he said.

One mother, he said, makes it a habit to make random, unannounced visits to check in on her daughter.

Principal Tim Ward said the school welcomes visits from parents and wants them to be more involved.

Benjamin said he was not an ideal student in his youth but he wants better for his son.

"I used to ditch school in the ninth grade,' he said. "But just because he carries my name, he doesn't have to repeat my mistakes.'

Typically, Godinez said, the potential embarrassment of having a parent on the scene is enough to motivate a teen.

"More often, the fear of it actually happening is enough for them to straighten out,' Godinez said.

Although it would depend on the situation and the child's personality, one clinical psychologist said parental intervention can be an effective strategy.

"It at least shows that the parent is dedicated and is trying to help, and that's a good thing,' said Sharon Teruya, a learning disabilities specialist with an office in Rancho Cucamonga.

But, Teruya warned, parents should look for other possible factors, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders or depression.

"For some children who are extra sensitive, that may be a scarring event in their life,' she said. "But another kid may get over it.'

Benjamin said he hoped his two days on campus would produce the desired results.

"I don't expect him to get straight A's. All he has to do is do his best to get me away from here,' Benjamin said. "But if he doesn't do it, I'll be back here. And it will be different. He'll be wearing one of those child harnesses on his chest.'