Unsupervised 9 year old?

Question

Our mommy group was at the playground today, and a 9 year old 'appeared' and started 'playing' with our kids.  We discovered that the 9 year old lived in the house next to the public park, and neither of his parents were home.  We asked that he not play with our kids because he was pushy and rough with our kids -- the oldest in our group is almost 5 years old, and the youngest is under 2 -- which he ignored and instead became combative with us adults desperately trying to engage us.  As we do not routinely have conversations with 9 year olds, we ignored him except only to say 'we'll talk to your parents, please go get them'

He loitered around while we were there, stealing the kids toys (cars, shovel, snacks, etc) and us moms just took turns taking it off of the kid and returning the items to our children.  The last straw was him threatening the kids with his dog verbally.  He disappeared and we thought he finally got bored and went home, but no luck.  He returned with the dog and I lost my mind.  I yelled for him to go home and not to return to the park without a parent or I would call the police.  I was livid that this kid would go so far, and seemingly follow through on his threat to have the dog hurt the kids.  We finally just packed up and agreed to meet at another park next week.

My question is -- was that inadequate?  One of the moms in our group was formerly a children and youth services therapist and said he exhibited clear signs of neglect and inadequate social skills (he couldn't take his eyes off of us while he did dangerous things like jump from the structures or throw sticks 'near' the kids; he tried to fight and argue with us; he bullied the kids... anything to get a response from the moms.)  It was sad to see this lonely boy try to engage two age groups (preschoolers and adults) that aren't appropriate for him for any attention.  When we had snack time, he kept walking right in front of us muttering that he was hungry and thirsty.  We learned a lesson in kindness when one of our kids walked over and gave him a little package of fruit snacks.

Should I have called the police anyway and had them locate the parents?

shadowtalker1 · Accepted Answer

I think that probably would have worked.  I don't know if you can call CPS, but that would have been another option.  It's too bad this kid's left out in the world to fend for himself (and God only knows where his parents are and/or if they even care about him), but you guys also have a right to gather and let your kids play.

season · Answer

9 365 days previous? i could, yet i could in basic terms get him video games like Viva Pinata till he grow to be a minimum of 12. T for teen is at 13, one 365 days does no longer harm. I performed M video games while i grow to be 12, did no longer turn me right into a psycho. words, it somewhat is all it somewhat is. Cursing, it somewhat is with regard to the worst of it. sometimes that's worse yet if so it relies upon on the youngster, and that i could assume a 12 365 days previous to b waiting to attain what's tousled.

m&amp;ms21 · Answer

you should have called the police. At that age they shouldn't be alone. For me, having to leave your kid alone is when they can defend themselves other wise they get babysat. If you guys go again and he's their ask him if you can speak to his mother or guardian, if he refuses call the police and let them know that there is a child at the park with no guidance.

Sexy Texy · Answer

Wow...way to diss a 9 year old kid.

How about instead of "ignoring" him and "yelling at him to go home" you help the poor kid out? Obviously he was just looking for someone to play with. He is probably home alone alot and gets lonely.

Whether he was "pushy" or not, you handled this the wrong way. A simple "We'd love for you to stay and play but you have to be gentle with the little ones" would've worked much better than "go home".

Kids seek attention in several ways and kids who don't get much attention will act out to get it.

Obviously a very troubled child...and I don't think a bunch of immature adults screaming at him to "go home" and "don't come back here!" does much help...

Anonymous · Answer

I believe yelling at a kid is NEVER the right way to go. Calmly walk up to him and ask where his/her parents are. If he refuses to answers to question simply smile and ask again. If he refuses again, simply bribe him with a treat. This kid (from what i hear) is just attention hungry due to his parents working. But if he in fact does harm your children in any way, call the police. Your children is more important! But only call the cops IF he actually hurts them. Kids are notorious for making empty threats.

A · Answer

I think it's sad you weren't kinder to the poor boy. Clearly he was desperate for some attention.

alicialions · Answer

wow, you sure didn't handle that very well did you?

Call CPS anonymously and have them check this poor childs situation out.  You sound more freeked out and angry at this child then concerned.

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Unsupervised 9 year old?

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