Felicity

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We have some destructive children in our neighborhood, and I just don't get it at all. We have learned the painful way that we can't even build a snow man in the front yard, because these cruel children just come along when we're not looking and smash them to bits. I get so mad, because my sons really create some masterpieces and they've been taught to respect other people's property and creations, and I think it's hard for them to put so much into their art work, only to have them literally stomped on until they are beyond recognition. I wish we could have a security camera out there to catch who it is. I can only guess that they've had some very deficient parenting. It makes me so mad.
Joy

[amyjoy]

That is just awful!!!!!!!
I know what you mean!!! Where are the parents!!!
In our old neighborhood, we used to have these kids come over and then they couldn't go home because they parents weren't home and the door was locked!!! I had never even spoke with the parents. We finally got ahold of the Dad on his cellphone and he just said he would be there in a half hour to pick them up!!! [img]mad.gif[/img]

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It's also deficient parenting in that these kids have apparently not been taught boundaries (what's in other people's yards belongs to someone else), have not been taught empathy (how would YOU feel if someone broke something precious of yours?), have not been taught appreciation and respect for other people's creativity and creations, and have not been taught that there should be no fun or entertainment in senseless destruction.
Joy

[amyjoy]

Hey it's Nicole. I AM SO MAD! My friend came over, and she brushed my pre-mattel Felicity's hair and basically ripped the pin curls out and bent the brush!!!! [img]mad.gif[/img] She is in middle school and I would expect that of a 5 year old!!!! she also said we should trim the hair a bit, and of course i said no!! poor Felicity [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] is there any way we can get the pin curls back??? [img]confused.gif[/img] oh, yeah, she also took one o Elizabeths pin curls out! [img]mad.gif[/img]

[Gombe Gal]

I'm sorry! [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] You must be really upset. I hope you can fix her hair soon. [img]frown.gif[/img] That is awful. [img]graemlins/cry_smile.gif[/img] Let us know how it turns out.

[wildpony]

Thats terrible! [img]mad.gif[/img] [img]rolleyes.gif[/img]
I hope you can fix her hair soon. Poor Lissie [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

[dolllover]

That's awful! If I were you I would tell that friend that if they can't respect your things, they won't be invited back to your house.

[amyjoy]

I agree with you on all. It is really sad [img]frown.gif[/img]
It just is!!! I just don't understand kids and people who don't care about other people's feelings!!!
My daughter and I are incredibly sensitive to the way other people feel and how we would feel if someone disrespected something of ours.
I just don't get mean kids and parents!!! [img]graemlins/thumbs_down.gif[/img]

[ponydreamer]

I'm sorry that happened to Lissie. Some kids are so rough. It sounds to me like there was more going on in those little hands than just doll play. It sounds like something is wrong.

Anyway! If this were me....I wouldn't talk to the parents at all. You have to be so careful with that kind of thing.

I would work on finding the pin curls, and if I couldn't....I'd send Lissie in for a wellness visit.

Then....the next time the girl is at your house, sit her down and explain to her exactly what she did to Lissie. Tell her how bad you all felt about it, and also the cost of the wellness visit. Tell her you forgive her, but that no one plays rough with dolls at your house....

I had a situation similar to this when my son was young. Of course it wasn't with a doll, but my husband actually sat the visiting child down and discussed the matter with him. He was much more careful with our things after that.

I wanted to add another thought: I realize that what she did was unkind, but I think that she will really learn something of value if you handle this carefully. And so will your children. Kids really watch carefully how we handle situations such as this.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ December 04, 2005 09:42 AM: Message edited by: Ponydreamer ]</font>

[amyjoy]

Great advice Ponydreamer!!!
I think that is exactly what we will do!!!
We are very forgiving, even though it is very upsetting.
I just feel weird talking to her mom, I don't know her at all and I get the feeling they don't have alot of $, so I guess I am too nice to ask for money, cuz I would feel bad.
I just want her to respect Nicole and her things and apologize and not do stuff like that again when she is over again.
I did find short hairs on the one side and was able to get alittle curl back in it, the other side seems hopeless. I guess I am just extremely thankful that nothing worse happened and that Lissie's hair didn't get cut, thank God!!!!