I'm at work tonight and I got a call from my husband that Mr. 9 has committed a serious act of disobedience and vandalism this afternoon, and has been spoken to by a policeman.
Apparently my son and the boy across the road have gotten hold of some spray cans and sprayed the f word all over a wall in my neighbourhood. The babysitter thought my son had gone across the road to his friends house to play, as he's often done, but apparently they've nicked off and done something seriously bad.
I've no idea where the spray paint came from, apparently it was in a backpack at the other boys house. We certainly don't have that sort of thing at our house.
My son came home and said that the other boy sprayed his hands with the can and he himself didn't write any f words.
I'm utterly devastated that he would do such a thing and really don't know how to respond to this. None of my other kids have ever mucked up to this degree before.
I'm terrified he is going to grow up into a juvenile delinquent.
Severe misbehaviour
Severe misbehaviour
Posted in:
Life Lessons, Parenthood Guilt, Behaviour, Kids
4 Replies
If this is the first time you are over reacting. I shoplifted once. Got caught. Never did it again and didn't become a juvenile delinquent.
Yes he needs to be grounded and I would be reassessing the friendship with the boy across the road.
I would make them clean it up and write an apology note to the neighbour. Or if it needs to be painted over, take pocket money until they buy enough for the tin. I'm sure it is just a once off!
Yep, they should apologise or clean up the mess they made - the pair of them. Or if the other parents don't agree with you on that action limit contact.
One indisrection does not a juvinelle delinquent make. Sounds like you are taking the behaviour seriously, so thumbs up!
Work out a punishment - apologies, cleaning up the mess and perhaps community service for the victim? Mowing lawns, weeding etc? No tv or computer/iPad for a period? No hanging out with his mate across the road?
Have a serious discussion about why this is unacceptable behavior (cost to victim, what would happen if he was older - fines etc, and the importance of being a member of the civil community). If you believe that he was more of a witness then an instigator, discuss the actions he should have taken or should take if he was in the situation again (tell the others to stop, leave and find an adult to tell etc). If the boys generally act up together, maybe discuss friendship shouldn't lead eachother to do bad things and have him evaluate the worthiness of the friendship.