Should I tell this kid's mom what he did?(long)

[Rock'n Robin]

I'm running around like a nut today trying to get everything done and leave a clean house.
Earlier DS(5) went to ride his bike. He still has training wheels. There are twin 5 1/2 year olds at the end of the street who ride their bikes without training wheels, fast too. They were riding with a boy who lives across the street who is 7 1/2. I know the boy and his mom but the twins just stare at me like Stepford children.
DS left his bike on the sidewalk in front of the house two doors down where his little "girlfriend" lives. He took off his helmet (brand new from Safety Town) and put it on the handlebars and went inside.
I walk outside to check on him just in time to see the 7 1/2 year old take the helmet off the bike handles and SLAM it on the sidewalk! Seems they had to stop their constant riding around the culdesac because his bike was in their way.
I said "HEY! PICK THAT UP RIGHT NOW!!!" I was 3 houses away but my voice carries . Actually I thought he was the twins 9 year old brother. He picked it up but looked ticked. I sent DD#1 (11) over to see what was up. He told her "he was messing with our bikes" (not) "and it was in our way". DD#1 asked if he would do that to her helmet if she parked in the sidewalk. he said no. She said if he ever does that or bothers her brother again she'll tell his mom and he'll be in big trouble. He rode off the other way. I haven't seen him or the twins since.
Now I am wondering if I should tell his mom after all. I know DS shouldn't park on the sidewalk but he just started bike riding and hasn't mastered the etiquette. And even so, this kid didn't just drop his helmet in the grass he forcibly threw it down on the concrete--there are two big scratches on it and DS just got it today. His mom is really nice and a 4th grade teacher and I was really surprised he was the one who did it. If he is developing into a bully (and one who will be 2 grades ahead of DS and treat him god knows how) maybe she should know about it.
Any opinions?
Robin M.

 

[binny]

I would want someone to tell me if my child did that.

Thats usually how I measure that kind of stuff.


Im sorry that happened. Personally Iwould be scared about that helmet now, youre not suppposed to use them after a 'crash" and that sounds like what happened. Of course I wasnt there so I dont know how hard it hit the ground you, of course, are a better judge of that

Good luck!

 

[nativetxn]

I would want someone to tell me if my son had behaved in this manner. Perhaps if you find a nonthreatening way to tell this child's mother about his behavior she can help him learn that destroying or damaging property belonging to another person is not the way to deal with anger.

Better to learn when you are 7.5 than to finally learn when you are jailed for vandalism when you are a teenager.

Perhaps, say something about you know it is so frustrating for children sometimes when they are just having so much fun and something interferes with that but you thought she should know and that you are aware what a wonderful way she has with children, such a wonderful teacher, you just know she will know how to deal with it. I would even ask her how to deal with it just in case my little boy ever got that frustrated.

One thing that makes a parent really angry is to be approached with anger and accusation directed toward their children. I sure know that's true. So, let her tell you how to deal with it.

Can you tell that I've been there and done that?

 

[crazyme5kids]

I say just leave it for now. Your daughter handled it very well and I'll bet the kid never messes with your family again LOL!

 

[dtuleya]

Add me onto the list of mom who would want to know. We have a policy in our neighborhood where we do this exact thing. Hope everything works out. I look at these opportunities as teaching tools for my children.

 

[doxdogy]

I would want to know. We taught DD to treat the property of others with respect.

 

[Val]

My DS, age 7.5, is a little pill....he is constantly tormenting his younger sister and her friends (probably in retaliation for what his older sisters dish out!). I WANT the neighbors to tell me if he has misbehaved...otherwise I might never know. He need to know that general rules of politeness are in force all over the neighborhood and not just where I can see him. If I don't know, I can not consequate and correct. Please, nicely tell......

 

[crazyme5kids]

I guess I need more info. Have there been other incidents, or was this the only one? If there is a pattern, then yes I would speak to the mother. If it is an isolated incident, I (and this is just me and my opinion) would give the kid a break he got caught, and had been warned about the consequences of that kind of behavior in the future. I just feel like everyone adults and kids alike deserve to be given a little slack when they do something stupid and thoughtless. Hopefully he won't act that way again.

 

[Pin Wizard]

If I witnessed a kid do that, I would sure be on the phone with the parents! Perhaps they should buy your DS a new helmet!

 

[BrerMom]

If my kid did that, I would definitely want to know!

It doesn't sound like she's a "my kid can do no wrong" type of mom; for those types, I don't even bother. I'd probably have a casual chat with the mom.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Well I did call and tell her and she was glad I did, and sounded surprised--no, she is not a "kid can do no wrong" person. We leave tomorrow VERY early so I won't see what happens--but I swear the kid was giving me the evil eye when I drove by even before I told her. And no, nothing like this has ever happened before. Hopefully she will deal with it and it won't happen again.
Robin M.

 

[nativetxn]

Hopefully, by the time you return from your trip that little boy will be calmed down from this situation. Have a great vacation!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
but I swear the kid was giving me the evil eye when I drove by even before I told her.

Seems to me he's pretty lucky. What I envision if I had done that when I was a kid would be my parent grabbing my ear and dragging me to the neighbor's house to apologize. Then the additional chores, etc. would be assigned.