Dad lays down law to son
A table of activities which a father drew up for his son stirred online debate after it went viral.
The drama began when Ratchai Sornsuwan posted on his Facebook a schedule for weekend study and leisure activities which he laid out for his son, Sorawee “Paeng’’ Sornsuwan, when he was in secondary school with the caption: “Here’s the iron law I drew up for my son. It’s pinned on his bedroom door. This is what enabled him to get into the school of his dreams. You may want to implement it with your children.’’ Mr Ratchai’s table begins with:
8-10am: Wake up, shower, have breakfast, watch television and relax.
10am-12pm: Drink milk, do your homework, read a textbook — a nap or TV is not allowed. (stay only in a reading room).
12-2pm: Have lunch, relax, watch TV, etc 2-4pm: Do your homework, read a textbook — a nap or TV is not allowed. (stay only in a reading room). 4-6pm: Relax, have dinner, do other activities. 6-8pm: Drink milk, do homework, read a textbook — a nap or TV is not allowed. (stay only in a reading room).
8-9pm: Relax. If it’s a Saturday, go to bed no later than 11pm. If a Sunday, you should be in bed no later than 9.30pm.
Under the schedule he leaves the remark: “Work hard today and you will live in comfort in the future. Parents have only good wishes for you. So be obedient.”
His post was initially picked up by the popular website Drama-addict on Tuesday before it went viral. The page’s administrator asked net users for their views while saying parents should take a middle path in raising their children or they could end up unhappy while growing up.
Many netizens praise Mr Ratchai’s schedule and say they would be willing to implement the same approach with their children, but others say it goes too far.
Yupa Pinta wrote: “If I had children, I would follow your method...”
Venus Lertkittisuk said: “If only I could turn back time, I would like to have someone forcing me to do such things. So I don’t have to struggle to learn all of these — the English and Chinese languages — when I’m grown up.”
Supakanda Choradol wrote: “I don’t find the schedule too tough as you can see there are times for relaxing. It shouldn’t stress a child but should build him up as a disciplined person.”
However Foam Karakit remarked: “Wait and see how a child who is forced to do things will turn out.” Worawit Kanlajuk expressed: “I pity the kid.” Nyg Suthiwong: “Your son will have plenty of knowledge, but lack a social life. That’s the end.”
Mr Ratchai replied to the comments, saying: “I’m so glad seeing all of you caring about the way I’ve raised my son. At least I realise society cares about our young. I didn’t explain earlier that I’m a teacher and have only one child. So I don’t want to make a mistake raising him; he must grow up the right way physically, intellectually and mentally.”
He continued: “My son dreamed of getting into a military school and I couldn’t do all the studies for him. What I could do was lay out a schedule for him. It might look a bit tough but he had the right to choose whether to follow it. Eventually he got into the school he wanted and now he’s in the third year. He is a cheerful kid, many friends, loves music, loves his parents and the King. If you have the chance, you can say hello to him on his Facebook.’’