Ding dong ditching and cops brought home

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader had friends spend the night. They went out to the park down the street (very safe master planned community) around 10 and about 30 minutes later my doorbell rang and it was 2 cops and my kid and his friends. The cops let me know they got a call and found the kids walking. The kids admitted and were honest and kind of in shock. I couldn't believe they would be so stupid but I realize the collective wisdom of 6 8th grade boys is actually dumb and risky. The cops told them they were putting themselves in a lot of danger because people around here wouldn't hesitate to use a gun in a situation like that in this day and age. They were not wrong. The kids definitely learned their lesson.

How would you handle this with the other parents? One kid already told his mom. Others told me they want to be the ones to tell their parents in the morning, which I understand. I should follow up with a text to the parents later in the day to see if they have spoken with their kid, right? I would want to know and I don't want the parents to think I am not taking responsibility.

[Anonymous]

What? No. I would text all parents immediately.

[Anonymous]

You need to tell the parents, punish your kid and supervise better.

[Anonymous]

You should have taken all kids home immediately or called their parents to come get them.

Also, you didn't say they snuck out so I assume you let them go to a park at ten pm. You are drastically out of touch with the reality of how teens think and behave, especially in a group. Very bad idea.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think this is a big deal except that they might have scared people so late at night. It’s just some stupid kids goofing around.

[Anonymous]

This is so freaking funny. But the comments are NOT it. They were knocking on doors and running away laughing. Big freaking deal. There are 8th graders having sex, drinking, and smoking weed.

We have had it done to us before and I laugh and think of when we did it as kids. If they were smarter, they would get a Fios or Comcast remote control and start changing people's channels when they are watching tv. Take it to the next level. LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so freaking funny. But the comments are NOT it. They were knocking on doors and running away laughing. Big freaking deal. There are 8th graders having sex, drinking, and smoking weed.

We have had it done to us before and I laugh and think of when we did it as kids. If they were smarter, they would get a Fios or Comcast remote control and start changing people's channels when they are watching tv. Take it to the next level. LOL

I would not find it funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is so freaking funny. But the comments are NOT it. They were knocking on doors and running away laughing. Big freaking deal. There are 8th graders having sex, drinking, and smoking weed.

We have had it done to us before and I laugh and think of when we did it as kids. If they were smarter, they would get a Fios or Comcast remote control and start changing people's channels when they are watching tv. Take it to the next level. LOL

You must be high yourself 😂

[Anonymous]

The police have shown up at your house and you think you will text parents later in the day??? All kids parents should have been called immediately and sent home. I question your judgement of allowing kids to go to a park at 10 PM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The police have shown up at your house and you think you will text parents later in the day??? All kids parents should have been called immediately and sent home. I question your judgement of allowing kids to go to a park at 10 PM.

This. Maybe not sent home, but parents told immediately.

And wtf are you doing letting them hang out in a park at ten pm??? Nothing good will come of that

[Anonymous]

Nothing good was going to happen at a park at 10pm. What were you thinking?

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe you let a group of 10 year olds go to a park at 10 am when the parents thought they were at your house!

[Anonymous]

^ sorry 8th graders, typo

[Anonymous]

You should call the parents immediately, don’t leave it up to the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think this is a big deal except that they might have scared people so late at night. It’s just some stupid kids goofing around.

Except that’s exactly what the police were concerned about - in OP’s area, how those scared people might have reacted.