ASK AMY

Dear Amy:

My stepson, "James," is 11 years old and in fifth grade.

Recently, he has been in trouble in school for various things (fighting, disrespect toward teachers, etc.). We have had a phone call from the principal every week for the last month.

James's mother has grounded him for one month, and when he comes to our home we apply the same punishment.

Last week, James came home from school with a stack of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards that he traded for a $50 PlayStation we bought him at Christmas. Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are not allowed at school. He was already grounded for other things and did not care if he got caught with these cards.

I phoned his mother, and she said, "Well, I didn't buy him the game so this is between him and his father."

His father had a talk with him and that was it! No further punishment.

I feel his father should have called the parents of the other child and had the boys return each other's things.

James is obviously not getting the message of what punishment is. Now I feel like calling the principal myself and letting him know what James is doing behind his back.

Furious Stepmother

I agree that "James" should not be trading this expensive item away. This boy needs some firm and consistent parenting.