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Back in February I had a warning letter from my sons school saying if he didn't attend the next twenty full school days and on time I would be fined the sum of £50.

Bear in mind my son was 16 last October and now thinks he can do as he likes. I showed him the letter and explained the consequences to me, he shrugged.

I have just been fined £50 because my son is too bone idle to get out of bed and get to school on time. I mean it's not him who gets punished is it so why should he worry?

In the meantime there have been incidences in our house where he does not get out of bed because I have lost my temper in the end because of aforementioned bone idleness.  Therefore he has not gone to school and it's all my fault apparently (according to him).

I have even called the school up and told them I can't get him out of bed, I even called the truancy people and told them I can't get him out of bed!!

I am refusing to pay the fine on principle and until someone can tell me how I can physically drag a 16 1/2 year old youth out of bed and get him to school?

I emailed the attendance person and asked her how she would do it, also that I would not be paying the fine and to give me a court date.

Today I received an email saying they have had a meeting at the school and the fine stands or request a court date of which I have replied give me the date I  will be there.

So if you don't hear from me in a few weeks I  am serving my porridge for my sons misdemeanors of which I refuse to pay, parental responsibility or not. He's old enough to have sex FFS and they want me to drag him to school !!

I just hope I don't miss the pops or my holiday  ;D

Well, Johnny Cash at San Quentin was a classic, so how about The Aussies at Strangeways?

;D ;D ;D

P.S. Should we all come round and give the little shit a kick up the arse for you?

A no win situation for you Debs ? You drag him out of bed to get him to go to school, so he tells social services. The next thing you know its you being charged with assault.
          If hes manipulative enough to work that one out,  then he obviously has a brain capable of benefiting from school work.....his future fcked not yours ?
                      You are just going to have to harden yourself enough to not be there for him when he finally realises what a useless prick he truly is....sorry to be blunt.

Yes Steve I  have already been down that route with my other son, I was black and blue for my troubles because I had already been threatened with assault charges after giving him a belt first time round !

Don't get me wrong for those that don't know me I am not in the habit of hitting my kids, It is the very last thing you are driven too IMHO and believe me I have been driven over the last five years.

The hardening has already started and there is no way I am paying anything out for his being a lazy shit.

I have just informed Liverpool Echo of my intentions as I do feel so strongly about this penalising the parents whatever the circumstances. They are coming to see me later tonight and asked to speak with my son too, guess what he said? A big fat NO. See it doesn't affect him at the end of the day does it?

Be aware Debs that when it come to the implementation of the law and with education regulation authorities,  that you are dealing primarily with people who like to generate work for themselves in order to justify their salaries.
So when it comes to court there will be an enormous difference in two versions of the truth, their version.....you just wont recognise it. But they play the game to win.
            If, as you say, that you have been keeping all concerned in touch with your thankless situation, they should be pulling out all the stops to help you and not be issuing a fine.

I can feel your anger and frustration Debby but please take a step back and look at your position. I have picked out those three paragraphs because I think they sum up your feelings.

There is little point in demanding someone give you an explanation on how you get your child to school before you will pay the fine because all they need to show is that by law it is the parents responsibility to ensure that their child attends school. By taking this stand you are forcing the authorities to take you to court and as you point out, ultimately you could end up in prison, although that would be for refusing to pay the fine, not for failing to ensure your child attended school. In your position I would take advise either from a solicitor or the CAB before I did anything and if it was a choice of paying a £50 fine or the possibility of my principles putting me in a prison cell I would be writing out the cheque as we speak. As for involving the Liverpool Echo my advice is cancel any interview you may have arranged with them and under no circumstances have any more contact with them. They would love a story like this and your family will come out the loser's believe me.
Having said all that I feel desperately sorry for you having to deal with this I also fear for your sons future. Even at this late stage seek out some help from family, friends, local organisations, the church, anyone who may help. Try not to give up on him. I used to call my daughter the daughter from hell when she was at school but we got through it and are now best mates. Good luck but don't let your principles put you in a worse position.