Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire A small child dumped my bike... at daycare.

I think you're handling it in an honorable and righteous way, and I applaud that.

However, were it me, I believe when I could do it calmly, I'd have a word w/ his parents and explain that you're taking the hit on repairs to your bike, but you just want them to be aware of juniors actions. In plain english I'd let them know that he was told NO multiple times by two different individuals.

I realize it's a different world now, but had I done the same @ that age, I would have gotten my "tail tore up" as we say in the south. That and my parents would've paid for the repairs w/out any hesitation. Whatever it cost, they'd have taken it out on my backside.

Dave, you may think you are doing the right thing, BUT--

In reality you are just being a wus and contributing to more of this sort of behavior by this kid down the road by letting him and his parents off the hook. You are also setting an example for YOUR kid that despite what he has been told by you, screw ups don't really have consequences.

Farmers or not, they need to get the bill, and whether they pay it or not, it may lead to the kid getting a good ass whipping by his folks. By not making an example of him, you and they are setting a bad example for responsible behavior.

I wish it were that simple sharps.

the theory that by me forcing the issue & pursuing payment from the parents will then force said parents to discipline the boy & continue on in life with perhaps more stern parenting as may be needed.

I really wish it were that simple.

too bad it's not.

I believe it would actually go more like this. I pursue payment, they deny responsibility, furthermore they deny there child even touched the bike, the issue goes to court, it ends up costing a lot more money in the end than what the damages total. Meanwhile the parents form there own web of protective/defensive "truth" over the issue & over the boy... Reason & truth becomes further & harder to achieve... the situation simply goes backwards.

I could win, I could make them pay. but just because they are forced to pay doesn't mean I�ve forced them to accept & believe that there boy has done wrong & perhaps needs discipline.

Biglmbass suggests action that is parallel with my thinking.

but thanks for calling me a wus, everybody needs to be toughened up every now & then, actually made my chest puff up a bit, for about 12 seconds...

I never claimed to be a perfect little gentleman. But I sure wasn't a willful little bastard that was just gonna do what I wanted to do, instructions to the contrary from adults be damned.

He needs a good attitude adjustment so the next time an adult tells him to get away from something his automatic reaction will be getting far enough away so nobody even thinks he isn't listening.

Thats stinks Dave.Glad the little gaffer wasn't hurt.

I was not a perfect little gentleman at 8, and I paid with hide.

Reminds me when My wife and I purchased land back in '99 and put our camper and tractor on the property while preparing to build. A couple of young kids(7 & 10) came over one day when we were gone and broke into our camper, broke windows and spread anything in the fridge all over the camper. They also ripped wires from my tractor and tried to burn it by starting the sawdust around the tractor on fire. I must have just missed them because the fire was only inches from my tractor.

Found out almost immediately who was responsible from a neighbor boy who heard a couple of kids bragging about it in school. Approached the parents and calmly but sternly explained what happened and asked them to take care of the problem. Heard back from both sets of parents within a couple days and both denied their child had taken part in the vandalism. Went to the police who sent out an investigator. He interviewed the children and told me they denied being involved and said there was nothing he could do.

Decided if I pursued the issue, I'd end up spending more time and money than it was worth and it was doubtful I'd collect my damages even if I won.

Point is, sometimes it's better to just let it go. Trust me, after a couple years, the anger will go away(for the most part).

that's reality, unfortunately.

sometimes parents are incapable of logic & reasonable thinking.

"not my boy!!"
Gasp!!

these are different times we live in.

The thing is, if they were reasonable parents, you wouldn't have to approach them about the issue as their kid wouldn't act like that. But odds are a kid that acts that way has less than steller parents.

Nobody will learn anything without a ass whoopin. Now start with the kid, then the daycare people, then the parents. Stop by the gas station and whoop the guy using pump 3s ass. Then go whoop the kids who tried to burn the tractor(is nothing sacred??). Swing through the citys and whoop my ass. Speed on I35 till a highway patrol pulls you over and whoop his ass. Stop up there at black bear casino and whoop a black jack dealers ass, then whoop my mothers ass, youll find her at the nickel slots....feeling anybeter yet?:)

Dave,

I would try to work it out with the boy's parents. If they want to be unreasonable you can pursue it in Conciliation Court. You can file claims for up to $7500 in Conciliation Court. It only costs $80.00 or so to file. No attorney is involved. You both state your case to a judge who makes a decision on the spot. Here's a link.

http://www.mncourts.gov/selfhelp/?page=313

i think that all would just make me very tired and very jailed.



black bear? I kinda like fortune bay, cause there's a lake there... & I'd rather be fishing

BG, even if I cared to... wife works for the courts, we know everybody... ick.

we're good.

claim is underway, happiness is resored, hate levels non existant.. it's all good.

I need that for a ringtone

I know you're being facetious but it's pretty much the truth for some.

You're a much mellower man than I am.

uhhh, fussee-shyuss?

that be meanin juss foolin ryte?

wasn't alway the case... I try really, really hard...

I'd have to figure out a way to put the screws to them.