Deliberately smashed a shed window

[jamaisjedors]

I nearly put this in AIBU but didn't want too much of "heated debate" - am more interested in what other people think is acceptable.

A friend's child today (age 5) was playing outside with 3 other children in my garden and smashed the shed window with a big stick.

Afterwards the mother made some kind of effort at telling off but the child shrugged when told that clearing it up would make work for others to do later, saying "well we won't be here later will we?"

The mother apologised (but the child didn't).

I didn't make a big fuss about it but called up the other children to make it quite clear that there was to be no hitting things with sticks - they were all shocked that he did it.

Am I being a bit precious to be annoyed about this? I can't imagine either of my DSs doing this at all (I have a nearly five-year old too).

I KNOW DH will be really cross (because it will fall on him to fix it and because he will say we should have been supervising...)

This mother needs to get a grip.

Yes small children do stupid things, but as a mother "well we won't be here later will we?" would have me reeling.

Well she kind of vaguely offered but it's more the hassle of having to buy a pane of glass and fit it...

Actually it's more the fact that this is the (most serious) in a long line of "stuff" that happens when these children are around - last month it was felt tip pen on the wall, which I think at 5 they should be but maybe I'm unrealistic?

To be fair she was reeling from that remark but didn't do anything about it.

I half-jokingly said perhaps he should see the consequences of his actions and come round with his dad and "help" fix it but I don't think she took that onboard.