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Original poster

please can I have some advice on what to do with two boys just caught smashing bottles on the road outside.....<argh>

29 replies

psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 17:03

tis my two boys

I am so bloody cross right now.

I heard glass smashing, and they are out the front of the house (we live in a cul-de-sac) playing on their bikes, and of course I assumed the worst.

went out, expecting to see fallen children and blood, but instead find my two, plus their friend, lining up bottles and smashing them with huge lumps of wood.

I now have subjected the neighbours to me sounding like a fishwife, and sent them to their rooms, but now what.....

they need to be told (they were shouted at how dangerous it is, how ashamed I am etc), but they need a calm telling too as I fear my shouty voice is one they switch off from after so many times.

sooooooooooo

advice please, before DH gets home and loses his temper too.

oh, have swept up the glass BTW.....am not wanting someone hurt on top.

damn boys

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
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Ceolas · 23/02/2009 17:05

Agree calm talking-to required as well.

How old are they?

Flier · 23/02/2009 17:05

How old are they?

differentID · 23/02/2009 17:06

TBH psycho- I'd let them also be shouted at by their dad. They need to realise that some things have potentially massive consequences, and if Daddy yells as well as mummy it may help drive the point home.

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Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 17:06

8 and 6.

old enough to understand the dangers IMO too, which has made me even more cross

OP posts:
edam · 23/02/2009 17:08

Well done for reading the riot act and DO let dh tell them off too.

kitbit · 23/02/2009 17:08

Have they calmed down too? Can you do calm, serious and scary?

Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 17:08

I was pondering that diff TBH, but I don;t want a shouty message, I want calm too....they need to get how dangerous this is.

not just to them, to anyone, toddlers to granparents who might fall into the glass (obviously not this glass now as it is gone, but to other glass), as well as to car tyres etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 17:09

me, calm - serious and scary

yup, could probably manage

I just need the right words to sink in

OP posts:
Ceolas · 23/02/2009 17:10

DO you have any pets?

Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 17:10

yes, we have pets.

rabbits and hamster.......why??

OP posts:
differentID · 23/02/2009 17:10

would any of the girls like to rub salt into their wounds by yelling them they're idiotic and stupid? big sister can do calm menace far better than parents sometimes

differentID · 23/02/2009 17:11

sorry, that should be telling not yelling.

Ceolas · 23/02/2009 17:11

Just thinking of the hideous damage broken glass could do to a pet, but maybe not a rabbit or hamster?

kitbit · 23/02/2009 17:12

Lots of pauses. Lots of questions "do you understand how dangerous it was? tell me why that was dangerous. Tell me why you won't be doing it again". Lots of eye contact and firm lips. Deadly calm.

That was my mother on about 2 occasions when I was small - frightened the life out of me!!! Scared me more than shouting I think, not that she shouted often, but the Dead Calm Serious Talking To was AWFUL.

Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 17:16

kitbit, sounds like a plan I can do. make them think properly as they need to think to answer

OP posts:
kitbit · 23/02/2009 17:19

Good luck!

MrsMcCluskey · 23/02/2009 17:20

Kitbit , I am going to commit that one to memory for next time...

Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 17:20

will report back shortly. DH just walked in!!

OP posts:
Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 18:30

DH did NOT help, he sniggered

apparently this is boys being boys.......IT SO IS NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

words have been had, to DH (that means Dick Head BTW), and to the boys about the dangers of glass, and small children being cut, and car tyres, and maybe it causing accidents (I stressed on the accidents actually seeing as they have been in one), and I HOPE it has sunk in.

I asked them what they think the worst thing that could happen from it, and they said that the glass might have cut someone so badly they bled to death........I said yes, and then said that should that have happened, then the police would get involved!!

they cried

I hope the point has been got!!!

as for dick head DH, I hope he too is scared or I am telling HIS mum

OP posts:
differentID · 23/02/2009 18:34

I can just see the three of them, sitting on the end of the bed, heads bowed and tears flowing as you stand over them shouting and brandishing a wooden spoon.

not that you'd ever use it, of course!

edam · 23/02/2009 18:37

oh drat the man, think you SHOULD tell his mum!

Original poster
psychomum5 · 23/02/2009 18:45

edam, I am this close to.

it is his birthday wednesday, so she is coming over. I might tell her and then withold his pressies!!!

diffID, you picture me well.

I just used a rolling pin instead!!

OP posts:
differentID · 23/02/2009 18:52
Grin
kitbit · 23/02/2009 18:54

Just checked back and am rofl!

Oh DO tell his Mum. He might then get Quietly Scary from her too and have his toys taken away.

And definitely no Nookie.

jangly · 23/02/2009 19:01

Find them some tin cans.

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