So some little effer pulled a pocketknife on my seven year old, yesterday.

[LaraMN]

It was a fourteen year old who lives two doors down. I told my husband when he home and he was out the back door so fast I barely had a chance to get out all of the details. Sufficed to say, I don't those particular neighbors will be friendly towards us, anymore.

[RevCheesehead]

1. Don't leave us hanging!

What happened?

[Squatch]

3. Yeah, no shit. What happened?

[LaraMN]

5. My husband went and talked to the Mom.

I'm a bit in the dark myself, because he didn't really offer a whole lot of details, but I know him... I have only once ever seen him that mad- he's normally nearly impossible to get riled up, but he's big and scary when he is. I do know that he told her if she didn't take some sort of action (I don't know exactly what) he was going to report the kid to the police. The boy's parents are nice people, but they have three boys and a little girl, and ALL of the boys have been hellions- this one's just getting started, I'm afraid. He sure as fuck isn't going to mess with my kid.

[Squatch]

6. I don't think I would have been able to show that kind of restraint.

Well, I'm glad nobody was hurt.

[LaraMN]

9. If my boy had gotten hurt yesterday, pacifist that I like to think I am,

that boy's mother would be cleaning her teeth off of the floor. Who the hell lets a "problem" kid have a knife?

[Squatch]

12. Could it be time to involve the authorities?

before somebody *does* get hurt?

[RevCheesehead]

8. How is your kid feeling about what happened?

And how on earth did you find out about it?

[LaraMN]

10. He told me about it right before my husband walked in,

or I would've been pounding on the neighbor's door, myself. He knew it was a very bad thing, but he was a bit hesistant to tell me.

[RevCheesehead]

14. You've probably already done this...

but be sure to let your son know he didn't do anything wrong, and it's not his fault. (7 year olds can take on a lot of guilt)

[LaraMN]

16. I hope I instilled that feeling!

I told him it was very good that he'd told me and that what the other boy had done was VERY unacceptable.

[Whoa_Nelly]

19. And he was probably scared

Have to wonder if he's been threatened before by this kid and told not to tell.

Meanwhile...
Always told my son that bad behavior is no secret. He knew that axiom applied not only to others, but also to himself. It's become a part of who he is today at age 27, and he will always champion those in need and will not back down from idiotic bullying. He is a kind, loving and generous soul, and am sure the fact that he's about 6'4" helps....lol

But seriously...calling the authorities about this and having your son make a statement to the cops would be the right thing to do with and for your son.

Keep us posted about what's happening with all this :hug:

[xmas74]

2. Call the juvenile officer in your town!

Make a referral.

[BlueIris]

11. Agreed. Could save someone else.

Seriously. It'll be a big hassle, but it's for everyone's safety.

[xmas74]

13. And that's their job.

They will respond and they will at least interview the families involved.

[LaraMN]

15. I want to hear from the Mom, personally.

I want to know what's being done about this kid. Apparently, he thought he was being funny. :eyes: I don't doubt it, but that's no excuse. A boy his age should know better. I'm torn about whether we should have reported him or not.

[Taverner]

4. Um, that's assault with a deadly weapon

You could call the cops, have the kid arrested, et al.

You might not want to press charges, but surely a day in jail might teach the deliquent a lesson.

[LaraMN]

7. He was such a sweet kid two years ago. It's truly sad.

Now he's threatening my son and his buddy (seven and five years old, respectively.) Ridiculous and totally unacceptable.

[xmas74]

17. Still say juvenile referral.

Sounds like he needs therapy. In some places they will make a referral to a local therapist for the family(in lieu of spending time in detention).

[LaraMN]

18. Maybe. The only thing I know about his home life

is that his parents scream at each other constantly (personal observation) and his father's an alcoholic (secondhand, but reliable information.) I suppose things with him are only likely to escalate given his situation at home.

[xmas74]

20. They could.

And juvenile referral might help. They will look into his homelife and try to find out why he is acting out.

[RevCheesehead]

21. I was going to say that his actions indicate possible abuse.

And that kid needs to learn to deal with his emotions properly, and not further the pattern of abuse.