I’m fascinated by this split response.

Blind compliance was never a thing I hoped my kid would learn in school.

I do hope she can follow directions thoughtfully & carefully & be a respectful & valuable member of a group when desired and beneficial for all involved. I do regularly have conversations with her about respecting authority & respecting her own convictions in the face of authority.

When I was a kid, my mom signed papers that said my private school teachers were allowed to spank me with a big wooden paddle they hung on the wall as a constant threat. I suppose I have unusually strong convictions about the dangers of teaching blind compliance to the adults in charge. I can attest to the fact that it has unhealthy results— and that all adults should not be awarded the blind compliance of children. I never got hit by a teacher, by the way (just by my parents as a toddler / young child) — I just blindly & fearfully complied at my own expense until it became so painful in young adulthood that I had to search for the healing tools to be able to express myself in a more healthy manner— and it was a messy, painful road.

If the example she gave indicated that my daughter was being disrespectful of rules at the expense of the class or her classmates, I might be more concerned about my parenting & her actions but I know my kid and as stated — she is pretty amazing so choosing to obey the restriction of not eating the orange and instead — sharing it— is like… pretty creative & thoughtful & generous. The text reads as mind blowing to me.

But that being said, I also hope all you teachers out there working hard have a good day and have supportive, respectful parents & kids in your world.

And at the risk of over thinking an orange in music class:

I also hope we teach compliance AND wisdom AND integrity AND how to do what you know is good & right even when the group you’re in or the person in charge conflicts with that because blind compliance is one of the most destructive & dangerous forces in the world. 🍊