Child broke leg on sidewalk—should I talk to the neighbor or teach my 12-year-old to pay more attention?

[Anonymous]

Wow. I literally would've never thought of blaming my neighbor, let alone writing this post. A 12 yr old should avoid what's in his path. The end.

[Anonymous]

You know OP isn't going to listen to anyone on here and it still going to go after her neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that the real problem here is everyone knows the kid was wrong but no one's reading the law. Apparently the law states that if you are under a certain age, you cannot be negligent because it's assumed that you do not have negligence from the law. So please read the law and then also does this this guy's wonderful neighbor left a trash can out for 3 days in the middle of the sidewalk. So let's put some blame on the neighbor as well. At the very least the neighbor should put away the trash can at least at the end of the day. Not wait 3 days. Are any of you abreast to the laws of Virginia? Because apparently it's very clear based upon this research from this post I was confused as well and totally thought this person's kid is at fault but apparently the laws in Virginia say otherwise

Maybe you should read the law. At this kid’s age the ability to be negligent or contributorily negligent is a rebuttable presumption and no one is going to think the 12 year old wasn’t negligent.

[Anonymous]

OP here—I’m not suing anyone. It’s not worth it over a few small copays. What I really wanted was input on two teaching moments:

Riding safely on the sidewalk. How do you teach your child to scan ahead, slow down around obstacles, and respect raised curb edges when biking?

Keeping the sidewalk clear. What’s the best way to reinforce that once they’re done riding (or when it’s trash day), they need to move their bike—and any trash cans—fully off the walk?

Also, I’d love everyone’s thoughts on approaching our neighbor. Should I send a friendly note explaining that their trash can blocked the path, caused my son to swerve and break his leg, and remind them it’s legally required to pull the cart in by the end of pickup day? How have you handled similar conversations?

[Anonymous]

Tell your kid to go slow enough to be safe, while also explaining that accidents happen and you are glad it's only a broken bone. Natural consequence will be that he can't enjoy the pool for a few weeks.

You don't talk to the neighbor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell your kid to go slow enough to be safe, while also explaining that accidents happen and you are glad it's only a broken bone. Natural consequence will be that he can't enjoy the pool for a few weeks.

You don't talk to the neighbor.

I have been watching the neighbor throughout the last few weeks and notice they leave it out all the time. Should i report it to the county to take care of it?

[Anonymous]

I don't understand what you mean by how do you teach it? It's fairly self explanatory. Now.....kids don't always listen and teens often think their abilities are better than they are, but you just teach them to keep their head up and don't go so fast that they can't get out of the way. You can work on it with him by making your own obstacle course at home when he's healed.

As for reinforcing it....don't you make your kids keep their rooms clean? It's the same thing. When they are done with their bikes, they go back where they belong. Can't move on to the next thing until that happens.

I mean now your kid has a life lesson about why you keep sidewalks clean.

As for your neighbor, it's up to you. There is no way to approach it other than being point blank about it. You either need to just go up to them and say "hey, my kid slammed into your garbage can while he was riding your bike and broke his leg. You're supposed to move it back in at the end of pick up day". Or, you say nothing. Suppose if you have an online town or neighborhood group you could submit something, our small town has a way to submit stuff anon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here—I’m not suing anyone. It’s not worth it over a few small copays. What I really wanted was input on two teaching moments:

Riding safely on the sidewalk. How do you teach your child to scan ahead, slow down around obstacles, and respect raised curb edges when biking?

Keeping the sidewalk clear. What’s the best way to reinforce that once they’re done riding (or when it’s trash day), they need to move their bike—and any trash cans—fully off the walk?

Also, I’d love everyone’s thoughts on approaching our neighbor. Should I send a friendly note explaining that their trash can blocked the path, caused my son to swerve and break his leg, and remind them it’s legally required to pull the cart in by the end of pickup day? How have you handled similar conversations?

Do you not know how to parent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what you mean by how do you teach it? It's fairly self explanatory. Now.....kids don't always listen and teens often think their abilities are better than they are, but you just teach them to keep their head up and don't go so fast that they can't get out of the way. You can work on it with him by making your own obstacle course at home when he's healed.

As for reinforcing it....don't you make your kids keep their rooms clean? It's the same thing. When they are done with their bikes, they go back where they belong. Can't move on to the next thing until that happens.

I mean now your kid has a life lesson about why you keep sidewalks clean.

As for your neighbor, it's up to you. There is no way to approach it other than being point blank about it. You either need to just go up to them and say "hey, my kid slammed into your garbage can while he was riding your bike and broke his leg. You're supposed to move it back in at the end of pick up day". Or, you say nothing. Suppose if you have an online town or neighborhood group you could submit something, our small town has a way to submit stuff anon.

That's fine I'll submit a county violation report along with the pictures

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what you mean by how do you teach it? It's fairly self explanatory. Now.....kids don't always listen and teens often think their abilities are better than they are, but you just teach them to keep their head up and don't go so fast that they can't get out of the way. You can work on it with him by making your own obstacle course at home when he's healed.

As for reinforcing it....don't you make your kids keep their rooms clean? It's the same thing. When they are done with their bikes, they go back where they belong. Can't move on to the next thing until that happens.

I mean now your kid has a life lesson about why you keep sidewalks clean.

As for your neighbor, it's up to you. There is no way to approach it other than being point blank about it. You either need to just go up to them and say "hey, my kid slammed into your garbage can while he was riding your bike and broke his leg. You're supposed to move it back in at the end of pick up day". Or, you say nothing. Suppose if you have an online town or neighborhood group you could submit something, our small town has a way to submit stuff anon.

That's fine I'll submit a county violation report along with the pictures

You are a karen.

[Anonymous]

If you feel the need, just let your neighbor know that your child likes to bike on the sidewalk and ask that the cans be moved up at the end of the day. You don't need to mention your child being clutzy and breaking his leg. Focus on the issue. If you want the trashcan brought up at the end of the day, they state that. If there is some concern or reason they are struggling, offer that your child bring the cans up- be a good neighbor and all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what you mean by how do you teach it? It's fairly self explanatory. Now.....kids don't always listen and teens often think their abilities are better than they are, but you just teach them to keep their head up and don't go so fast that they can't get out of the way. You can work on it with him by making your own obstacle course at home when he's healed.

As for reinforcing it....don't you make your kids keep their rooms clean? It's the same thing. When they are done with their bikes, they go back where they belong. Can't move on to the next thing until that happens.

I mean now your kid has a life lesson about why you keep sidewalks clean.

As for your neighbor, it's up to you. There is no way to approach it other than being point blank about it. You either need to just go up to them and say "hey, my kid slammed into your garbage can while he was riding your bike and broke his leg. You're supposed to move it back in at the end of pick up day". Or, you say nothing. Suppose if you have an online town or neighborhood group you could submit something, our small town has a way to submit stuff anon.

That's fine I'll submit a county violation report along with the pictures

WTF is wrong with you? Biking accidents happen. That's why kids wear helmets now. You are way over the top here. Do you have a spouse who can speak to the neighbor? You are way too overheated to have a reasonable conversation. It's a broken leg, not a lifelong injury.

[Anonymous]

You don’t talk to the neighbor. That’s insane.

You do tell your kid on trash day (and the days after) “remember to look out for trash cans”.
But also, he probably won’t make that mistake again. That was an unfortunate natural consequence

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand what you mean by how do you teach it? It's fairly self explanatory. Now.....kids don't always listen and teens often think their abilities are better than they are, but you just teach them to keep their head up and don't go so fast that they can't get out of the way. You can work on it with him by making your own obstacle course at home when he's healed.

As for reinforcing it....don't you make your kids keep their rooms clean? It's the same thing. When they are done with their bikes, they go back where they belong. Can't move on to the next thing until that happens.

I mean now your kid has a life lesson about why you keep sidewalks clean.

As for your neighbor, it's up to you. There is no way to approach it other than being point blank about it. You either need to just go up to them and say "hey, my kid slammed into your garbage can while he was riding your bike and broke his leg. You're supposed to move it back in at the end of pick up day". Or, you say nothing. Suppose if you have an online town or neighborhood group you could submit something, our small town has a way to submit stuff anon.

That's fine I'll submit a county violation report along with the pictures

You are a karen.

+1

[Anonymous]

It’s a stationary object. Your child is at fault. Do not ruin the relationship with neighbor over this.
Just like if there is a car stopped in a travel lane and you hit it. You are at fault.