Neighbors' kids' vent...and opinions

[zachnsamsmommy]

Okay...first of all, I'm pretty laid back and let the kids in my neighborhood, or at least those that are friends with my 8 yr old DS, play in my yard. I let them have water balloon fights (use my water with permission if they clean up), and play in my yard.

I came home today (after picking up my son at zoo camp) to find dark black streaks and circles all over my driveway. I was thinking 'no biggie'...just sidewalk chalk and started to hose it off. None of it came off...it is tire tread marks all over the driveway . It would take a scrub brush and soap to get it off, and it is very noticeable.

Now I have a feeling who the kids involved are, and one is a good friend of my son's, and his mom and I are pretty good friends. She would be livid if it was her son who did this.

Okay...do I mention it to her without blaming anyone (hoping for a confession), or just forget about it. I worry that not mentioning anything will result in it happening again. Or something worse to my yard...

 

[happygirl]

I would say something. If you don't the kids will think that it's okay to do that.

 

[Evil Genius]

I would mention to the mom what you came home to and ask her if she has any ideas as to who might have been over while you were away from the house.

 

[happygirl]

Okay...first of all, I'm pretty laid back and let the kids in my neighborhood, or at least those that are friends with my 8 yr old DS, play in my yard. I let them have water balloon fights (use my water with permission if they clean up), and play in my yard.

I came home today (after picking up my son at zoo camp) to find dark black streaks and circles all over my driveway. I was thinking 'no biggie'...just sidewalk chalk and started to hose it off. None of it came off...it is tire tread marks all over the driveway . It would take a scrub brush and soap to get it off, and it is very noticeable.

Now I have a feeling who the kids involved are, and one is a good friend of my son's, and his mom and I are pretty good friends. She would be livid if it was her son who did this.

Okay...do I mention it to her without blaming anyone (hoping for a confession), or just forget about it. I worry that not mentioning anything will result in it happening again. Or something worse to my yard...

Who was watching the kids while you were gone. Maybe the saw who did it

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I honestly don't know if anyone was watching the kids (you are talking about the ones who did it? mine were with me coming back from the zoo). We live at the end of a cul-de-sac, and it is quite common for kids to be out (8 and older) and the parents not outside.

I did ask one neighbor who is home and has kids, but her kids weren't out since she had a migraine.

I think the boys that did it are 8 and 12, so nobody was probably watching them closely.

I really think I may mention it, and ask if her husband (she was at work) saw anything, but not accuse or lay blame. Hopefully if the son did it the guilt will bring a confession...

 

[happygirl]

I honestly don't know if anyone was watching the kids (you are talking about the ones who did it? mine were with me coming back from the zoo). We live at the end of a cul-de-sac, and it is quite common for kids to be out (8 and older) and the parents not outside.

I did ask one neighbor who is home and has kids, but her kids weren't out since she had a migraine.

I think the boys that did it are 8 and 12, so nobody was probably watching them closely.

I really think I may mention it, and ask if her husband (she was at work) saw anything, but not accuse or lay blame. Hopefully if the son did it the guilt will bring a confession...

If it was me I would just say to your friend. Some kids made a huge mess with there bicycles. Leave it at that

 

[disykat]

I would invite the kids over, hand them some scrub brushes and tell everyone to get busy!

My first thought would be that they were playing and had no idea those marks wouldn't come right off. I don't see it as a big deal, BUT it is their job to clean up a mess they made. I would hope that if you didn't make a big fuss, they'd tell you what happened. I'm guessing something like "we were doing wheelies in your driveway and it made all these marks."

If they clean up, I'd make a point of telling them thank you for taking responsibility, that they aren't in trouble, but they should not be playing anywhere on your property when you are not home.

If they don't clean up and take responsibility, I'd ask their parents if they saw anything because these marks showed up when your kids weren't home.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Okay...first of all, I'm pretty laid back and let the kids in my neighborhood, or at least those that are friends with my 8 yr old DS, play in my yard. I let them have water balloon fights (use my water with permission if they clean up), and play in my yard.

I came home today (after picking up my son at zoo camp) to find dark black streaks and circles all over my driveway. I was thinking 'no biggie'...just sidewalk chalk and started to hose it off. None of it came off...it is tire tread marks all over the driveway . It would take a scrub brush and soap to get it off, and it is very noticeable.

Now I have a feeling who the kids involved are, and one is a good friend of my son's, and his mom and I are pretty good friends. She would be livid if it was her son who did this.

Okay...do I mention it to her without blaming anyone (hoping for a confession), or just forget about it. I worry that not mentioning anything will result in it happening again. Or something worse to my yard...

I would not get the mom involved- just tell the kids you would like them to come clean up the mess they left in your driveway.