bad influence

[whatever1]

Hello everyone this is my first post.

My son keeps on playing with some other kids in a different neighbourhood. They aren't exactly the brightest kids. They have been giving my child ideas about violence and video games and I think they are influencing my child.

What should I do?

how old is he??

how do you know how bright they are/arent??

If you're worried about them being a bad influence then encourage them to play in your neighbourhood or your home so you can keep an eye on them. Not allowing access to people tends to make them more attractive. Finally, help your son find ways to improve his self-esteem and sense of right and wrong. Children who are confident and have a strong sense of morality are less likely to be influenced by anyone.

They have given him ideas about me as well. My own child doesn't trust me. He's 11 years old.

I cant think why anyone would do that.

I don't spend that much time with him either. I'm at work most of the time so I don't know what he's up to.

He says he hates me for not letting him fight with the other kids.

The pre-teen years are when they can be easily influenced. By the time they hit 13 or 14, if they don't regard you as a complete joke, you're doing well. It's a tough balance trying to work, keep tabs on them and still let them have the freedom to get out and experience life. Perhaps if you phrased it that you're 'trusting' him to behave properly and not get into fights.... but that there will be grounding etc., if you find out he's disobeyed... maybe that would be a compromise.

Are there any youth groups like Scouts in the area that he could join up with? That's a good way to meet nice kids, do fun stuff and yet still be supervised by adults.

And keep reminding him that, whatever other people may be saying to him, you're his mother, you're responsible for him, you love him and you don't want him to end up in trouble. Some don't like admitting they still need their mums that age but they need to hear it.

I think he might have joined a gang.

I will try the scouts, but I don't think I could persuade him. The video games he plays are so violent and he gets engrossed in them.

My mother advices me not to get him video games and I think the truth is starting to sink in. She's wise enough to know an olden truth.

If he gets pregnant or something, I know I'm at my wits end.

How do you not know what he's up to when you are at work? Who is looking after him then?

Rest assured, he won't get pregnant whatever happens... but I know what you mean.

You're painting a much more serious picture than at the outset. This is about positive parenting, love, and asserting your authority as the person responsible for your child. If you think the video games are too violent then simply take them away - listen to mum, she's right. If you don't like the crowd he's running with or if you think he's in a gang, then ground him. If you don't know where he is when you're at work, arrange supervision.

I think someone is messing around here. Have reported.

kinda agree!!