Child's Play

I don't know how many times parents get roped into arguments with other parents over kids squabbling.I have had many an irate parent on my doorstep over the years in regard to children's disagreements.After my first disasterous run in I put together a little strategy to help.For the nasty phone call I always remain calm,let the parent have their say then invite them and the child over for a coffee,tea etc normally they jump at the chance.My reason for this is,as soon as they turn up usually the kids race away playing  as if nothing has happened.The parent and I compare notes on what the children have told us and find that they are completely different versions.

My point is a lot of time the parents are arguing while the kids are over what ever they were disagreeing about in the first place. In a relaxed friendly atmosphere I believe parents can work out childrens arguments with out any nastiness,even the more serious ones.If a Parent comes straight to my door I offer them the same courtesy and usually get the same result.I have only had one incident where this did not work however there were other issues involved as well.Her daughter was 18 months younger than my Son and had always fancied him,he was 12 and not interested in girls yet.This little madam had on a previous afternoon scratched and gouged all up my sons arms to the point of looking like he had been attacked by a wild animal.It  was over my Son not wanting her to sit beside him,granted he was not gentle manly in his refusal but he did not deserve the attack he received.

Bill was also taught by me not to hit females so did not retaliate physically.I rang the Mother who lived up the road and informed her of the incident,she told me to tell my Son not to be a Pussy and laughed about  the whole thing.Next day Bill was struggling up the drive way holding his lower region,I ran down to help him he was flat out talking.The above madam had scratched his face and kicked him in his privates repeatedly.I took him in side and laid him down and sponged his face and arms.He told me this girl had kept calling him a pussy and taunting him till he called her a spoilt little b-tch,and shoved her away from him.

She then attacked him as described.no sooner had he got to this stage when her Mother turned up on my door step irate with my Son.....Apparently Bill had smacked her daughter open handed across the face during  the attack.I don't normally condone physical retaliation however in this case I told the women her daughter was lucky she did not get a closed fisted punch.I showed her Bills arms and face from the scratches and gouges  and told her about the kicking.

She started to taunt my Son about his man hood,well I  cracked and  forcefully removed her from our property.Her daughter was in the wrong  going by an investigation  run by the bus driver,and was banned from the bus.This was the worse incident I  or my kids endured.And the only one that didn't  get resolved through niceness and patience. I always say that there are two sides to every story. regards Merle