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Severe lies between our children and friends children HELP

347 replies

New15 · 03/06/2024 14:12

Long one so will try and compress down!

I have 14 (Boy) and 10 (Girl)
Lifelong friends have 2 kids 14 (girl) and 13 (boy)

these people we see every weekend, we holiday together have been through good and bad together and are so important to us.

Background being both my friends kids have been caught out lying about Drinking, Vaping, talking to adults in a sexual nature over the internet sending explicit pictures to other people in the last 6 months or so.
My kids are the model of good behaviour, neither have ever done anything wrong (I’m so lucky) my boy 14 is massively into sport so his health is priority. We have different parenting styles, I am more of a gentle parent with the others being the opposite.
Both my kids are always honest and upfront and have never done anything to not have my trust.

my Daughter 10 last week said she had something to tell me and got really upset.
2 weeks ago, whilst round their house. My daughter (10) went in their sons room (13) for a few minutes a which is totally normal and had said he was having sexual conversations with other friends over PS5.
he had turned and said sorry did you know about that stuff?, to which she responded “yes, I did sex education at school last week”
He then proceeded to show her on his phone what I believe to be porn. He also asked her if she knew what it was. At 10 years old she was trying to describe what she saw, but struggled as she didn’t understand it, however I knew what she was talking about straight away. She felt uncomfortable and pretended to need a drink to which he said, if she was to tell me, he would say it was her and she would get into trouble.

Now she does have Tourette’s and struggles with decisions and some emotions massively which is why I assume it’s taken her a week to pluck the courage up to say something.

I rang my friend and explained what I had been told and that I was so shocked by it. The friend apologised to which I said it’s not your fault but please speak with him and let me know.

we knew he would lie because he lies about everything until it’s black and white in his face to which he couldn’t lie.

my friend rang me back the next day and said her son (13) has swore down he absolutely did not show her anything. There was nothing on his phone. That he had said, she had overheard him laughing in about sexual stuff with his friends which he apologised for but that was it.
I explained, that what my daughter told me, she couldn’t have known, and the way she explained it proved she didn’t know what it was, only she knew it wasn’t right.
My friend then proceeded to tell me my daughter probably knows much more than she lets on, and I should baby proof her phone! (Her phone has always been for school walking only) and she doesn’t have access to the internet at all.
So basically my friend has took her sons word and now it is incredibly awkward.

what do I do?
this is someone who is considered as family. We love each others kids like our own, and despite her kids going off the rails a little and lying Iv always loved them like they are my own.

I don’t know how to approach it at all!

My daughter had asked what was going on and I had to tell her that they believe he is telling the truth. To which she broke down in tears, and said she wish she never said anything. Which makes it worse I want her as a young girl to be able to tell me things that make her feel uncomfortable and to be heard. - And this isn’t a little white lie or swearing ect. This is a teenager lying about showing my 10 year old something extremely sexual.

this whole experience as a parent has me overwhelmed.

Thoughts from an outside viewer are greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
SashaPicklepops · 05/06/2024 02:25

Absolutely do not engage with this family again, report him to yhe police for showing a 10 year old porn, it will still show on his phone, yhe police have ways of retrieving data that's been deleted. This boy needs a short sharp shock of a visit by the police, hopefully it will save another child from being subjected to this in the future, or worse. Good luck op, your children are priority, drop yhe "so called" friends now. X

Owl55 · 05/06/2024 11:52

Your daughter did the right thing telling you but she must never be alone with this boy , if he touched her inappropriately he would lie he hadn’t and claim she has lied before about him showing the porn to her . Protect your kids .

Ozanj · 05/06/2024 12:07

I think your friend has shown you what kind of person she is. Just cool things down. In your position I’d ghost her

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 12:08

Otherstories2002 · 04/06/2024 18:59

They are both children but the situation is not the same.

the 10 year old is the victim of a crime here. Perpetrated by the 13 year old. Both need support and intervention. But the priority for the OP must be safeguarding her child.

13 year old boys can be cunning.

Our neighbour's son invited me to "join his gang". I was 7. I imagined something like "The Secret Seven".

Then he introduced me to his "Deputy". The neighbour's son was going on holiday. The friend would be "Acting Gang Leader" in the meantime, and I would be "Deputy Gang Leader". I was to do everything that the Gang Leader told me.

Some 13 yr old boys are cold-hearted bastards.

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 12:10

Kjpt140v · 04/06/2024 22:47

You are very judgemental about your friend's children. You need to be careful because you don't what they do when the cats away. Even if they are as you say there is a possibility that one day you will be let down, and I promise you if you are vocal about your angelic children, then there will be people who are waiting for that moment to happen.

As far as your relationship is concerned I would carry on as usual and hopefully the young man has had a fright and will not repeat what he is accused. I would also tell your elder to ensure his sister is not alone with the young man. Don't forget the boy is only thirteen, and his hormones are awakening. He will be inquisitive.

He may well be inquisitive. He doesn't get to extend that to his dealings with a 10 yr old girl. Boys that age can be very dangerous.

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 12:17

I've worked with teenagers for 40 yrs. Some teenage boys are dangerous.

Do not take chances with your younger children. Just don't.

What happened to me was bad enough, but at least I wasn't raped. My friend was. She'd have been 8 at the time. If it had gone to court, the defence would have been that it was consensual. We were absolutely groomed.

You know why teenage boys go after very young girls? They want to find out what sex is like, but they don't want to get anyone pregnant and they think that young girls won't tell on them or be believed.

One of my former pupils raped a 6 yr old. The signs were there. I reported them. I was laughed at. A little girl suffered.

Yes, teenage boys are curious. That's why you make damned sure they can't hurt little girls.

StandingMyGround888 · 05/06/2024 12:18

I would take my daughter out for a treat day for being brave and telling you the truth. I would also use this as a celebration of sorts for her standing up for herself. To make some positive memories around this, to make sure if anything happens in the future she will feel comfortable to say.

I would give her a long pep talk of how proud I was of her, demonstrate that I am cutting the family off, and show her that if people behave in a sexually abusive manner we cut them off. I would frame it as now it is exciting we can meet new people and do new things.

I'd probably also give her a new privilege in general that she would like, saying that you've implemented it because she has shown how trustworthy she is and that she knows her own value and will stand up for herself.

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 12:42

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 12:10

He may well be inquisitive. He doesn't get to extend that to his dealings with a 10 yr old girl. Boys that age can be very dangerous.

Re-read my safety precautions.

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 12:47

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 12:42

Re-read my safety precautions.

You say that the girl shouldn't be alone with the young man. She doesn't need to be anywhere near that predator at any time.

Boomer55 · 05/06/2024 12:53

letscalmdown · 04/06/2024 17:56

I'm not minimising at all the situation, but I do feel the discussion on here around all of this is just not very balanced at all. They are BOTH children.

This. If adults are talking to this boy, and sending pics, then he is being groomed. They are both minors.

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 13:00

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WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 13:03

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Absolutely, I have issues. Thank you so much for realising.

Read my other posts directly and perhaps you'll understand why. You don't need to look too far too find them. They're right on this page.

I'm hoping that the OP's daughter will be able to grow up without issues.

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 13:06

For those who don't get it: staying in contact with the perpetrator's family is not a good idea.

The OP's daughter should not be forced to socialise with her abuser.

7175McGee · 05/06/2024 13:22

If you called the police and they took his phone as evidence, they would be able to retrieve whatever he had deleted from it.

If I were you, I'd be calling social services as well. The boy is wrong for victimising your DD but he is also a 13 year old child and he shouldn't even have access to that stuff anyway. Their daughter has already been sexually groomed online. Sounds like the parents are doing an atrocious job of keeping them out of harm's way and stopping them from being sexualised way too early for their emotional development.

I don't blame you for wanting the get your family well away from theirs. They sound negligent and dangerous.

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 13:43

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 13:03

Absolutely, I have issues. Thank you so much for realising.

Read my other posts directly and perhaps you'll understand why. You don't need to look too far too find them. They're right on this page.

I'm hoping that the OP's daughter will be able to grow up without issues.

Your reaction is bias and one of fear due to what you have experienced, they are not rational. Not everybody will repeat what ever your abuser has done to you. You can't punish somebody because of what has happened to you

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 13:45

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 13:43

Your reaction is bias and one of fear due to what you have experienced, they are not rational. Not everybody will repeat what ever your abuser has done to you. You can't punish somebody because of what has happened to you

Hmm.
Methinks that I'm not the one with issues.

You're equating safeguarding with punishing?

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 13:51

This thread isn't about "everyone". It's about the experience of one little girl and the fact that she has been abused by a teenage boy. Thankfully, the abuse wasn't given the chance to escalate.

My personal experience - both as a victim and as someone involved in safeguarding - is that you nip things in the bud where possible and you certainly don't place a victim in the situation where she is forced to be in the company of her abuser.

AliceOlive · 05/06/2024 14:08

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If you think putting a child in charge of the safety of another child is appropriate then you are not in a good position to decide who has issues.

AliceOlive · 05/06/2024 14:11

WearyAuldWumman · 05/06/2024 13:45

Hmm.
Methinks that I'm not the one with issues.

You're equating safeguarding with punishing?

Someone here seems stuck in the days of going to parties and just saying “keep them kids away from uncle pervert”. We no longer play “let’s not upset the applecart or hurt anyone’s feelings” while putting children at risk of sexual abuse.

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 14:16

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taylorswift1989 · 05/06/2024 14:19

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What's wrong with you that you're here arguing against child protection and safeguarding?

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 14:23

taylorswift1989 · 05/06/2024 14:19

What's wrong with you that you're here arguing against child protection and safeguarding?

Tell me where I've argued against safeguarding?

AliceOlive · 05/06/2024 14:24

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Deflect what? This poster believes a child that is at risk should be protected. You want to protect the one who is showing a penchant for inappropriate behavior with younger child.

It seems like you are the deflecting here?

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 14:24

AliceOlive · 05/06/2024 14:24

Deflect what? This poster believes a child that is at risk should be protected. You want to protect the one who is showing a penchant for inappropriate behavior with younger child.

It seems like you are the deflecting here?

Please tell me where it says I wish to protect the boy?

AliceOlive · 05/06/2024 14:25

Kjpt140v · 05/06/2024 14:23

Tell me where I've argued against safeguarding?

What you suggested has nothing to do with safeguarding.

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