Two of my boys (14 and 11) did something really stupid this afternoon and I'm so frustrated about now. Before dinner tonight they decided to use our garden as slip'n slide. I'm not kidding. It is extremely muddy out there and they showed up at the back door just caked in mud. They both completed ruined probably over $100.00 in clothes and shoes.
I expect my 11 year old to act up sometimes but my 14 year old is acting like he's 10. So anyway, I had them both strip down outside at the backdoor. I took them both upstairs and threw them both in the shower and rinced them off.
Both of my kids thought it was funny and were really smart about it so I told them they earned a spanking and they are grounded from outside for a week. I spanked the 11 year old right after we got done in the bathroom and my 14 year old just got it from my hubby about 15 minutes ago. We don't spank the kids that often, but I feel they deserved it.
2006-12-14 15:04:52 · 12 answers · asked by Tina W 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I don't think we went to far this time did we?
2006-12-14 15:08:43 · update #1
I'm thinking about making thm pay for the shoes they ruined too.
2006-12-14 15:09:20 · update #2
Did I mentioned they ruined about $200.00 worth plants too?
2006-12-14 15:19:02 · update #3
It's a tough situation. You never like to discipline too hard, but it's time that they started to learn some responsibility.
I think that following the being tough with letting them know what's expected of them would go a long way.
2006-12-14 15:07:47 · answer #1 · answered by gregj_uva 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why does this have to be such a big deal? The clothes are very likely not ruined at all, just dirty. Wash them with some Clorox II. If the shoes are sneakers, they can be washed with the clothes. If all the dirt doesn't come out on the first wash, run them a second time, and they'll probably be fine.
Construction workers' clothes get muddy too and are successfully washed.
I'm seeing this as the overreaction of a tired woman at the end of a long day. For some perspective, just reflect on what the parents of some fourteen-year-olds have to deal with: pot, hard drugs, pregnant girlfriends, stolen cars, academic failure, suspensions from school. Mud? That looms very small.
2006-12-14 23:19:00 · answer #2 · answered by silver.graph 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all - they may not have ruined the clothes - wash them while they are still wet and muddy and that will get all of the "caked on" mud off then when they have gone through the whole wash cycle take them out of the washer and use "Fels-Naptha" soap on any remaining stains,spots, or marks - this stuff really works wonders
Why are you spanking a 14 year old for playing in the mud?
He could have stayed a lot cleaner if he had went over the neighbors house to smoke weed with his friends - or play video games while deciding which house t break into next!
Its not often that you see two brothers with that type of age difference bonding
LET THEM BOND - this mud incident could be one of their most precious memories in years to come
what if they were killed in an accident on the way to school in the morning - would muddy clothes really matter
I can see talking to them about changing into play clothes first - but sheeeesh lighten up lady - things could definitely get worse - if one of them was dying from cancer would you have spanked them for playing in the mud?
I'm not against spanking - in fact I firmly believe in it - but I also believe in not punishing your kids if they don't deserve it
2006-12-14 23:14:11 · answer #3 · answered by kim 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Okay picture this. It is Homecoming, your boys are both football players. It has been raining all day, the field looks like one big mud puddle. Are you going to tell your boys to go play, have fun, win the game but don't get all muddy? They would have to just be a bench warmer and never get off the bench and play in the game not to get all muddy. I think you & your husband missed an opportunity to have family fun time with your boys, & relieved some stress for your self. You & your husband should have grabed the boys and the rest of the family and all of you would have had a fun time playing in the mud. It just sounds like your boys were just having fun beining boys and they got a spanking. Next time join in and have fun right along with them. Be a kid once again for your self. The mud will wash off you just like it washes off the kids and out of your clothes just the same.
2006-12-15 00:34:06 · answer #4 · answered by Roddi F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally, both of them are a little old for spanking, the fourteen year old especially. However, I'm glad that so far, none of those "oh my goodness, spanking is child-abuse" people have come and declared you a terrible mother, either.
If they were smart and nasty-mouthed, wash it out with soap. It sounds old fashioned, but it'll take a while before they backtalk you again.
As for the clothes, give 'em a good wash, maybe two. As someone said, if they're ruined, keep them for "play" clothes. You'll be glad they have them if you ever paint the house or something equally messy.
Not to mention, had it been me, I would be grounded much longer, such as a month, for messing with something so apparently as important to you as your garden.
2006-12-14 23:46:06 · answer #5 · answered by Helen 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aw mom! Let the boys have fun!!! Clothes can be washed. And even if all the mud stains don't come out, they can wear those clothes the next time they decide to play out in the mud or with nature or something. Heck, my husband & I (late 20s) still go out & play in the mud at least once or twice a month. And who spanks a 14 year old?????
2006-12-14 23:10:08 · answer #6 · answered by cntrybmpkn_95 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm...well, first of all, I remember doing lots of crazy stuff when I was younger, including playing in the mud. I don't ever remember actually ruining any of my clothes, they all seemed to wash out pretty good eventually. That's part of what they call "boys being boys". On the other hand, being smart with your parents is not acceptable, and I agree that punishment may have been necessary, although it would have to be pretty severe to warrant a spanking.
2006-12-14 23:11:57 · answer #7 · answered by makin_the_same_mistakes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How does mud ruin clothing?
And you spank a 14 year old and ask why he acts like a child?
2006-12-14 23:09:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly - I believe boys are washable.
I agree with the grounding, chores are good to get them to do some reflecting...
Spanking, I think they are too old for that, but they are your kids, not mine.
The 14 year old is a little immature - what a couple of kooks!
2006-12-14 23:18:25 · answer #9 · answered by just visiting 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, FROM AN OUTSIDERS POINT OF VIEW.....IT'S PRETTY FUNNY, THOUGH I'M SURE YOU WERE PISSED ABOUT YOUR GARDEN (AS I WOULD BE) I THINK GROUNDING THEM AND MAKING THEM EARN THE MONEY FOR THE COTHES WAS ENOUGH, I WOULD HAVE SPANKED THEM AS WELL IF THEY WEREN'T SO OLD, BUT 14 IS A LITTLE TOO OLD FOR THAT. AND REMEMBER...BOYS WILL BE BOYS!
2006-12-14 23:17:27 · answer #10 · answered by purpledragonflyjrh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋