What would you do?

[Mhamai]

I posted on the terrible mother thread last night re my son going into someones shed last night and although I don't think he personally spilt the paint he was there nonetheless. Anyway this morning I mentioned it to a mother of one of my ds5 other friends that I had offered to go with my son and help clean up and was when this mother said I shouldn't clean it as she should have had her side gate locked.

Personally I feel morally I should go with ds as to teach him a lesson that he can't just wander onto to someone eles property and even if he was not actively involved which he swears he wasn't that I can't just ignore this

Any comments or advice would be appreciated
TIA

Typing error, should add, was in the shed early evening not at night.

I think you are right.

God help us if we had to live by that woman's moral code.

I agree with you. He entered their property (the shed) without permisson, and trespassed on their land. He did wrong, so should take his punishment.

yep restitution is a very valuable lesson to teach children

I definitely think he should help clean up. the odd thing is, he will probably quite enjoy doing it, and feel great afterwards.. Children are quite moral creatures IMO - they respond much better to a consequence which has a clear purpose, and a positive outcome, than to harsh punishment.

I think the woman you spoke to typifies a disturbing but increasingly common attitude. I personally don't want my children to learn how to go through life "getting away" with things and doing the bare minimum to benefit others. How repugnant.

You're anything but a terrible mother, obviously!

I have to admit that even though I have reared my dd who is now 20, I feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment as ds5 has really only started playing outside with the other boys this Summer.

Tbh this woman was telling me not to be intimidated by the other mother who tbh was very rational and calm, if anything I felt intimidated by the mother that told me not to help clear up.

Ah the joys of motherhood!

Ps, Forget to say thanks for your replies, so thanks

Forgot even