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View Full Version : Did I do the right thing?



angie r
03-10-2003, 02:31 PM
This is what happened...

Sunday afternoon we look out our back door to see 3 teenage boys, on their bicycles, on a partially frozen retention pond. This is a really big pond and in the center there is a spot that is about 50 feet deep. It was 63 degrees here yesterday and who knows how "frozen" the water is? Of course the first thing my ds says is can he go out on the pond too. So, I sent Brichard out to tell them to get off. This isn't our property by the way, it belongs to an adjoining neighborhood association. Brichard told them it wasn't safe and they should get off. The boys did not listen and kept riding their bikes, popping wheelies, etc. So I went out with the cordless phone. I told them to get off the pond as it was very dangerous. Well I was yelling it really as they were about 40 feet away. I said did their parents know they were there and could I call them to confirm it? One boy said I could have their cell #, home #... I said ok, what is it and held the phone up. He gave me a bogus # and then they got off the ice and left.

So, I went out front and as they crossed through I stayed far enough behind them for them not to see me and followed them home. I pulled up behind them and went up to the door. The boys said to me....what are you doing? I just ignored them and when the parents came to the door I told them what they were doing. I'd want to know if my kids were doing that!! Anyway, they listened to me and then came out after the boys. Sent the other 2, who didn't live there on home and layed into their son.

I was so nervous and kept thinking they will do something to my house/car to retaliate. Oh well, would you have done the same thing? What if you were the boys parents? Would you have appreciated knowing?

AnnW
03-10-2003, 02:35 PM
WOW!! I am not surprised they gave you a fake number, did you really think they would give you the right one? LOL
I would want to know.

bizymum
03-10-2003, 03:26 PM
I think that you did the right thing. I would want to know too.

vea29
03-10-2003, 03:54 PM
I'm very impressed that you went to the parents! I think you did the right thing....you could be saving there lives. If I was a parent wound totally be appreciative if you told me.

KarlaB
03-10-2003, 03:59 PM
Don't doubt yourself ~ I'd want to know, too!

Diane
03-10-2003, 04:33 PM
Rest assured... you did the right thing Angie. I definitely would have appreciated your coming to my door with this information if it had been my kids. If more parents did this... maybe there would be a few less tragedies. You did good!!

Diane P.

JAK
03-10-2003, 08:17 PM
You did the right thing! I doubt that the kids would do anything to your house or car just because you know where at least one of them lives!!!

Lynda-WA
03-10-2003, 09:01 PM
I'm normally against talking to other parents about what their children do unless it directly involves me. This is one of those cases where you absolutely did the right thing. You may very well have saved those kids lives and I'm sure the parents, if not the kids, realize it.

imamama
03-10-2003, 09:52 PM
I agree that you did the right thing. I'm totally against parents telling other parents how to raise their children, but when it's a matter of safety, that changes things completely. Like the others said, you very well could have saved their lives. You'd certainly want the reverse if it were one of your dk's. It's not like you preached to the parents, you just simply made them aware of something very unsafe their kids were doing. Rest assured, you can sleep a whole lot better doing what you did. Try not to think of retaliation. It's doubtful anything will happen.
Try to think of what would have happened if one (or all of them)had fallen through the ice... do you think you or dh would have hesitated to risk your safety to try and help them? I know I would've... so, on the flip side, you not only stopped a potentially dangerous situation for the boys, but for you and dh, as well.
I say good job!

angie r
03-11-2003, 08:29 AM
Thanks for reassuring me. I was afraid I should have MYOB!

Leigh
03-11-2003, 09:57 AM
Angie, I admire you for having the courage to do what was right. Not a lot of people would have done that, and you probably saved those boys life. You should be proud of yourself for a job well done.