Stop me getting arrested!!!

loobylou2

I think that 7 is far too young to be going to the park. I don"t let my 10 year old go to the park at the back of our house even with her friends because she kept coming home in tears saying she was being bullied etc....I think you just need to say no to your son and if he gets upset, sit him down and gently remind him of the reasons why he isn"t allowed to go because kids often have short memories. My daughter still asks on occasion if she can go but once we"ve explained the reasons why she isn"t allowed to and reminded her of what happened the last time she went she seems to accept this. Why not suggest that your son has his friends round to play at home instead and buy some play equipment for the garden. Kids this age love things like trampolines etc....

pipkin71

MagicMummy wrote: »

I genuinely feel that you should reconsider allowing him to a park

I have to agree with that, to be honest.

As a parent, you have to protect your child from harm, and whilst the issue of bullying also needs to be tackled so that your child can go to the park to play safely, you also need to decide if right now, it is suitable for him to go to the park on his own.

Sometimes being a parent means making decisions a child wont like, and whilst your son may not like you going to the park with him, his safety is more important than his desires.

Is there another park you can all go to, until the bullying is sorted?

I think I read that you live in a village??? If so, then I do feel that a chat with the community liason officer may also help put an end to what has been happening.

blue_monkey_2

Could be worse I suppose, they could be persuading him to try drugs, cigarettes or alcohol. He is old enough and mature enough to say no though isn't he? Of course, then it would be the dealers fault.

You say you petitioned to have the park taken away, just where was your son going to play then?

Of course, this has nothing to do with the parents not wanting the kids in the house/under their feet so they shove them out over the park to play and 'get some independance'.

If they then 'fall into the wrong crowd' and start hanging out with these kids and bullying themselves it'll be the same thing 'help, my son is out of control he does nothing he is asked'.

Parents need to take responsibility for their kids. I am sure the parents of the bullies also think their kids are out 'getting some independence' around the village. Still, at least they are leaving the old people alone - at the moment. I hope he is not learning too much from them, maybe in 5 years time he will be the one bullying the little kids but you would not know as you think he is out getting his independence and playing with stick in the woods. Same as their parents probably do.

He is 7. He does not need independence yet, he needs to be a child and a child needs looking after. Not hanging around a park on his own having his stuff nicked and stones thrown at home while he is hiding up a tree. He is old enough to be on his own when he can fight back if someone tries to snatch him. He is being severly bullied by several children and you are still putting him in that danger even though you know it is going on, just when do you think it is acceptable to take some responsibility for your own child and keep him out of danger?

God forbid, if something happens to him just who's fault is it going be? The kids bullying? Or yours because you did not take the responsibilty to say 'no, you cannot go out and play' and you still put him in that danger because he needs to learn some responsibility.

zippybungle

Haven't had time to read all replies, but my eldest son is nearly 7 and there is absolutely no way he would be allowed to a park by himself (even if we lived right next to it).

If he wants to go to the park then I take him there and supervise him.

If I were you I wouldn't let him go to that park any more, I'd take him to another one, let him play in the garden (if you have one) and maybe invite a School friend round for him to play with, go for walks, go swimming, make things at home, play games.

I have 3 Children ,myself and know how hard it is finding the time to do everything.

Zippy x

bella165

sorry to bump but i have a bit of advice as the same thing is happening to my son,

call your council and ask for a evidence sheet,then jot down times and dates names of the kids involved if known,if not a discripton of them,
write down what was said and who got hit,who started it,
then in 6/8 weeks send the forms back {but continue jotting down info}
the council then will look at the forms and then will take action were they say fit,
so that may be a visit to the parents who will then be given a warning of there childs behaver,and also breach of there housing rights,
what then can turn in to a intrum asbo order being made if it gets worse,

in no way what so ever must you vidio or take pics of them as you will be the one in trouble,
i do hope you understand what im saying,if you need anymore help or advice just send me a pm,
hope you get it sorted soon
bella

Mojisola

As you live in a village, bear in mind that these are children your son is going to have contact with for some years to come. If they are capable of doing what they are doing now, what will they do when they are older teenagers? Your son will be the local victim in their eyes and heavens knows how things might escalate in the future.

Your son is probably unaware of the ramifications of their behaviour - he is 7 and you and your OH are his parents. You should be in control.

Your OH is being decidedly unhelpful but that shouldn't stop you saying to your son that the rules are different when Dad isn't here.

I think the police and the council have to be involved. If this was happening to you when you walked down the street would you accept it? Would your OH tell you to toughen up and sort it out yourself?

ameliarate

I think it is really sad that it is (considered) unsafe for a 7 year old boy to go out to the local park on his own. Something people of my generation (god I sound old) did even younger.

Just thinking out of the box, as it were, I don't know how many kids are involved here or how big an age range there is but, what about trying to get them "on side"? Invite them all to your house for crisps and a drink or something, get a paddling pool (if the weather ever improves). It may help them to see your son as a friend.

woody01

Seven year olds shouldnt be out and about on their own anyway.

blue_monkey_2

The OP posted this question and then never came back even though they are a regular poster on MSE - probably because everyone else said there is no way her 7 year old son should be out playing on his own. Probably best to just leave it there as the OP is not going to see it any more.

Sad it may be but I agree, we often was over the park playing on our own. However, that changes when a 7 year old boy from the village was at the Ford (where everyone went to play) and got lured away from the group he was with. The person who got him sexually attacked him and he was left and was left lying in a pool of blood with his privates hanging by a thread because the person tried to bite them off.

The dangers have always been there it is just that everyone thinks it might not happen to them. I guess when something happens so close to home your opinions change.