to think that an 8 yr old shoud know better?

[strawberry]

Another family came over for a couple of hours at the weekend when I was out. Last night, ds mentioned that some of the rhubarb had got damaged by his friend and he'd asked him to stop. Sounded like a minor incident. So, I have just been out to get some rhubarb and a large area of the fruit/veg patch has been completely demolished! Surely an 8yo boy knows that this is not on! And where was DH when all this was going on? I am livid - mainly because I was looking forward to rhubarb crumble!

i've got some in the freezer.... my mil dropped off half her allotment...

he should know better and so should your dh but that's boys for you...and as he says might not have been his fault. Annoying but no point in being livid......

YAB slightly U. I used to chase boys away from lupins we had grown in the communal garden because they were whacking them with huge sticks. Children often just don't realise

well my DS1 won't be 8 until September - but he knows that he doesn't go round damaging plants, especially in someone's garden!!! Actually thinking about it DS2 (4 1/2yrs) already had a pretty good idea what he can and can't do in the garden already....

YANBU

well of course my own children have never damaged plants. But I am looking at the situation more objectively

Thank you for your replies! And there was I thinking it was such a dull topic that I'd had no responses!

Well ok livid was a slight over-reaction but we work hard to make garden nice and grow food so I was not impressed. My mother thinks I should say something about it but don't think I can be arsed.

Romy - bring some round here! I'll supply the crumble topping. Custard or ice-cream?

My dd's 5 and 2 would know not to do that but I think boys are different.

Maybe he was not aware you were growing veggies and just thought they were plants to bash???

It was naughty though!

I would definitely have to say something to his parents so they know and tell him not to do it the next time he goes around yours.

When my dd was three she had a little boy friend who came straight into our lounge picked up a pen and started to draw all over our wall. I was shocked! My dd knew at three you dont draw on walls.

His mum apologised and said she just doesnt leave pens out for him to use. I dont think its a good idea to hide pens away. At some point they have to learn.

My two year old doesnt do it, but i guess thats because we always say "just on paper" - she gets it.

This boy that trampled your plants has probably never been told not to do it.

sorry just reread what i wrote - i am not saying because he was a boy he would do it... i like boys honest

I know lots of lovely well behaved cheeky little boys and none of them would have done that!