On July 4th we were at the neighbor's with a few other families. My six and a half yr. old son was out front with three other boys - seven, eleven, and thirteen. My husband and the seven year old's dad were nearby but not on top of them and engaged in conversation (ah em...a nice way of saying "not paying attention" which is another matter). I walk outside to see my son on another neighbor's lawn watching the seven yr. old put a smoke bomb on the porch and ring the doorbell. The eleven yr. old screams "run! run!". So my son and the other boy ran while the neighbor opened her door to a ton of smelly smoke. Needless to say, I was not happy! I was upset that boys that young were being "allowed" to light smoke bombs AND that they were, IMO, damaging someone's property. Those things leave a stain on the cement and the smelly smoke got into her house. I made my son go over and apologize and the other boy came along also but his parents didn't make him. Also, the next day we went to clean the neighbor's porch, couldn't get it all off so my husband went over there with a power washer that evening. All of it still isn't off. My husband is going along with all of this but I can tell that he doesn't think it's as big a deal as I'm making it. The other parents don't think it's a big deal either. The parents of the 11 and 13 scolded them for teaching the smaller kids that prank but that's all. What do you think?

By Kate on Sunday, July 9, 2006 - 11:28 pm:

I think it's pretty awful that the boys did it and awful that the older boys encouraged the younger boys, and awful that the other adults don't think it's a big deal!! What are the homeowners saying?? Are they furious or do they think it's not a big deal, either? I can't understand your husband not thinking it important to wash the stain off and to consider the bad smell permeating her carpets and drapes.... Stand your ground, you're the one in the right!

By Kaye on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 12:18 am:

Pranks are fine and fun as long as noone or nothing gets hurt. Smoke bombs can hurt someone and cause damage. NOT COOL! If my kids want to wrap houses, that wouldn't stress me. But I would not be pleased to hear about very many other pranks.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 06:57 am:

You are absolutely in the right.

Don't these other "adults" (I use that word advisedly) realize that those homeowners could sue the parents of the children for the damage done to their property? Which would result in a claim against the homeowner's policies for the respective adults. In theory, because the adults were there, they were supervising - and, they made the smoke bombs available and didn't properly observe to make certain they were not misused.

I agree, it isn't funny and it is dangerous and damaging.

By Reeciecup on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 08:58 am:

Good for you. You should give yourself a big pat on the back for how well you're handling this and for teaching your son accountability.

By Momofmax on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 09:16 am:

Thanks for the support! The homeowners are very friendly with us and the others in the neighborhood so they aren't making a fuss about it but I think that's abusing our friendship to ignore the stain, etc. just because they aren't outwardly mad about it.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 09:19 am:

I agree with Ginny, also. The adults should have been watching to make sure the smoke bombs weren't misused. If some kid did that to me, I wouldn't be very happy. I wouldn't want that stink inside my house. I think you did the right thing, sending your kids over to apologize, too.

By Tripletmom on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 09:30 am:

Ditto Ginny,also.Small kids, small problems.Bigger kids,bigger problems.With kids this little where'd the lighter come from?Good for you to stand you're ground and make you're DS apologize.Its always fun until someone get hurt.

By Dandjmom on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 12:22 pm:

I commend you for teaching your son right from wrong. I was once young too, but didn't participate in pranks, because I often how I would feel if it where me or my parents on the receiving end.

By Imamommyx4 on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 12:20 am:

If I were the smoke bombed homeowner, I would very much appreciate YOUR attitude and concern. I would appreciate your attempt at cleaning the stain even if you didn't get it up. Good for you.