logcabincreations
02-25-2007, 12:24 AM
I'm so tired I can hardly type this...but I'm going to write and then go to bed...then I'll be back tomorrow to see what you all tell me.
A few years ago I made friends with a neighbor lady (well - she lives 3 miles away) and her two sons (14 & 15). She's a single mom who works full time, but her parenting skills are not always what I would consider best. Her oldest son has spent a lot of time at my house. Within the last 6 months, he's been in lots of trouble at school; caught lying and stealing; my husband told him if he didn't quit getting in trouble, he can't come over to our house anymore. Two weeks ago his bus driver calls me to report he is using tobacco on the bus. I said "why are you calling me...I'm not his mother" and I gave her his mothers name and work phone number.
His mother leaves her boys at home almost every evening - by themselves - while she goes out with friends or to "meetings" (she's a recovered alcoholic--10 years--and has started going back to AA meetings up to 4 times a week.) I disagree with her leaving her boys home alone all the time. I understand if she needs to attend a meeting, but 4 a week? I haven't been through this, so it's hard for me to criticize; however, her oldest son is craving attention and I think that's why he gets in so much trouble. She has recently filed a "child in need of services" petition with the court when in all actuality, I think he's a "child in need of supervision." Also, she used to drop them off at the skating rink. Now, I'm no saint, but I've NEVER dropped my boys off at the skating rink. I go in with them and either I skate or I take me a book to read. Her boys can't go back to the skating rink now because the oldest got in trouble.
This boy calls my house all the time wanting to talk to my 17 and 18 year old sons. I don't mean one phone call...yesterday evening he called six times and this morning twice. He wanted to come to my house and let my boys shave his head (yes, shave his head.) I told him yesterday he could not come over because my boys would be gone today (Sat. -- they work with their dad). He called this morning and said he wanted to tell my boys what he had done. I said "what did you do...a Brittany Spears?" and he said "pretty much." I said "you have called my house 8 times since last night...if you are craving attention, then tell your mother to give you some and tell her I said so, and stop calling my house...you are driving me crazy!"
I know I was short with him...I'm just totally fed up. I know he doesn't have a father in his life, but it is not my responsibility to raise this child. I have 3 of my own. There is so much more I could write....like when he spent almost the WHOLE month of August at my house....like when my husband and his brother took him to work one Saturday (they have a tree trimming business) and he asked my 11 year old son to steal a pack of cigarrettes...like when he's here at my house, I have to hide food because he will eat ALL of it...like he's ridden his bicycle & walked to my house on a dangerous road all 3 miles after being told not to leave his own house and his mother called the sheriff's office and a deputy picked him up at the end of my driveway....:arghh: We have taken him to church to youth group and then take him home....etc. etc. etc.
I'm feeling a little bad that I snapped. His mother called here and left a sweet sounding message for me to call her when I have time to talk. I have not called her back. I'm not sure I will. We have to now "screen" our phone calls because of this. I feel like I'm going nuts. Say a prayer for me and for that family.
Jan
A few years ago I made friends with a neighbor lady (well - she lives 3 miles away) and her two sons (14 & 15). She's a single mom who works full time, but her parenting skills are not always what I would consider best. Her oldest son has spent a lot of time at my house. Within the last 6 months, he's been in lots of trouble at school; caught lying and stealing; my husband told him if he didn't quit getting in trouble, he can't come over to our house anymore. Two weeks ago his bus driver calls me to report he is using tobacco on the bus. I said "why are you calling me...I'm not his mother" and I gave her his mothers name and work phone number.
His mother leaves her boys at home almost every evening - by themselves - while she goes out with friends or to "meetings" (she's a recovered alcoholic--10 years--and has started going back to AA meetings up to 4 times a week.) I disagree with her leaving her boys home alone all the time. I understand if she needs to attend a meeting, but 4 a week? I haven't been through this, so it's hard for me to criticize; however, her oldest son is craving attention and I think that's why he gets in so much trouble. She has recently filed a "child in need of services" petition with the court when in all actuality, I think he's a "child in need of supervision." Also, she used to drop them off at the skating rink. Now, I'm no saint, but I've NEVER dropped my boys off at the skating rink. I go in with them and either I skate or I take me a book to read. Her boys can't go back to the skating rink now because the oldest got in trouble.
This boy calls my house all the time wanting to talk to my 17 and 18 year old sons. I don't mean one phone call...yesterday evening he called six times and this morning twice. He wanted to come to my house and let my boys shave his head (yes, shave his head.) I told him yesterday he could not come over because my boys would be gone today (Sat. -- they work with their dad). He called this morning and said he wanted to tell my boys what he had done. I said "what did you do...a Brittany Spears?" and he said "pretty much." I said "you have called my house 8 times since last night...if you are craving attention, then tell your mother to give you some and tell her I said so, and stop calling my house...you are driving me crazy!"
I know I was short with him...I'm just totally fed up. I know he doesn't have a father in his life, but it is not my responsibility to raise this child. I have 3 of my own. There is so much more I could write....like when he spent almost the WHOLE month of August at my house....like when my husband and his brother took him to work one Saturday (they have a tree trimming business) and he asked my 11 year old son to steal a pack of cigarrettes...like when he's here at my house, I have to hide food because he will eat ALL of it...like he's ridden his bicycle & walked to my house on a dangerous road all 3 miles after being told not to leave his own house and his mother called the sheriff's office and a deputy picked him up at the end of my driveway....:arghh: We have taken him to church to youth group and then take him home....etc. etc. etc.
I'm feeling a little bad that I snapped. His mother called here and left a sweet sounding message for me to call her when I have time to talk. I have not called her back. I'm not sure I will. We have to now "screen" our phone calls because of this. I feel like I'm going nuts. Say a prayer for me and for that family.
Jan