How to deal with "troubling" child(neighbor)sorry-long

[Tinkim]

This one hits close to home for me. My oldest DS met a boy in kindergarten who was also troubled (temper tantrums at school, no friends, etc.) We tried letting them get together and play but the boy called my DS names and there was some over the top rough play and it was not a good situation. I tried on and off over the next three years to give this boy a chance because I felt sorry for him and sorry for his family. Most everyone I knew forbid their kids from playing with this boy. Very long story short the last time I gave him a "last chance" he broke my younger son's femur during a snowball fight and he was in the hospital for a week in traction and in a body cast for three months. I have since decided that I can't risk being a "softie" for someone who is troubled and trying to help because my kids are far too important to take that risk again. Just be careful and maybe try to back off from having your DS play with this boy. I wouldn't wish what my DS went through on anyone and to this day I still have a hard time when I see this boy and his family.

 

[Twigs]

This is a really tough situation and I feel for you. As for him coming over all the time in the summer etc. Maybe you should come up with specific times where friends are allowed to come over. Something like not before a certain time and you must go home by a certain time. Maybe even speicfy which days he is allowed to come over. It sounds like he would come over whenever he likes, despite your "rules", but if you can have some sort of schedule you can say something like this is our family time.

 

[my3kids]

Talk to the principal and tell him you do not want the 2 in the same class next year. Not much advice on the neighborhood thing, other than to try to head it off at the pass....answer the door and say DS is unavailable to play right now, then shut the door politely.