13 replies to this topic

[Spooky]

Being only fourteen, but partially responsible, I feel as I have room to inform other kids what is right and wrong. Wether or not they are a sibling, I feel as if they need to know the truth. I often tell kids that smoking and drinking is bad and that I will not be participating in either of the actions within my life. I do it because I feel that some see me as a role model and hopefully will be able follow my footsteps and live a safer and healthier life.

Today I was minding my own business, trying to get MSN Zone to work so I could play golf. My brother runs in with a silent look on his face, he was previously outside. He walks into my mothers room and doesn't say anything to her, then proceeds to the printer. My mother asked him what he was doing, he replied: "Getting paper so we can burn it." In shock, my mother said why are you burning it, how, and with who? He then explained that Zach and a few friends (all around the age of ten, Kyle, my brother, almost seven) had some matches and were going to burn a piece of paper with a battery in it.

I stopped Kyle and told him to go outside, then followed him staying around ten yards back. After meeting with his posse I walked up to them and asked who Zach was. This kid, up to my neck in height, pronounced that he was. I asked him how old he was and got the reply of ten. I then asked him to empty his pockets and unexpectedly for him the matches slithered out onto the ground. I went to pick them up and he stepped on my hand, at this time I was mad. I grabbed the leg with my other hand and lifted it off and grabbed the matches.

At this time he was near tears and understood that he would be grounded for a month. I told him that if he promised to never play with fire or touch a lighter or box of matches again I would be reporting to his mother what happened. He nodded as a tear ran down his cheek. I explained what could have happened if fire had hit the battery acid and what would have happened to him if acid got on him or in his eyes. I took the matches home and gave them to my mom.

Did I do the right thing, or should I have went straight to his mother? He is a really good kid and I have played with him before and treats my brother with the best of care. I guess this was just a moment of fame for him and he wanted to be cool around the other friends. I think they all had a sad startle as a fourteen year old hockey player approached them .

[adam123]

I think it was the right thing to do 'specially if he's alright and hasn't really done anything like this before, just make sure he doesn't do it again and if he does, tell his mother.

[Donna]

The responsible thing to do is to tell his parents, once the temptation is there it won't leave. Your words to him mean nothing, tommorrow he could be setting his own home on fire.

Where are his parents anyways letting a 10yr old walk around with matches?

[Spooky]

We live in a cluster of apartments at the moment, we are moving to a house in a more convienent location in around a month.

The mother leaves matches in her car, he got them from there.

[Jaymz]

I'd explain to his parents what happened, and that he was obviously remorseful and respected what you said, and tell them what you explained to him so they know. That way they can make a fair decision and punish him accordingly.

Pyromania is a severe mental condition that if not treated can become obsessive and dangerous.

[JamesPickens]

tell the parents, although i would of told him itd be better if he told them himself. parents really do respect that more.

[Xanderdude]

You did the right thing if u went to his mom mayby they alrdy started to burn the batery and what happens then would be awfull ive seen lithium baterys burn and u dont wanna know what happens.
hhm u might go to his mom after u done this.
and ur right dont smoke (alchohol isnt worse if u can control it)

Cya Xander (15)

[Donna]

Spooky, on Apr 16 2005, 05:45 PM, said:

We live in a cluster of apartments at the moment, we are moving to a house in a more convienent location in around a month.

The mother leaves matches in her car, he got them from there.

Apartments burn, lives can be lost, 10yr olds don't have a great deal of fear of fires. Obviously his mother is not very responsible leaving them around in the first place.

[Magnus]

u did the right thing in my opinion and i deal w/ this every day (not pyromania but stupid #$&%)

[Atomica]

You only get to be a kid once, no matter what you do, do it, getting in trouble is the fun part, thats where you get to learn things which you may have not been able to learn.
The battery wouldnt of lit or spilled off from one piece of paper, it would have to be lit for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong
time for it to spill and by that time they would of probably moved on to something else,knowing how kids are, and from past experience.....

[Donna]

Atomica, on Apr 20 2005, 06:57 PM, said:

You only get to be a kid once, no matter what you do, do it, getting in trouble is the fun part, thats where you get to learn things which you may have not been able to learn.
The battery wouldnt of lit or spilled off from one piece of paper, it would have to be lit for a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong
time for it to spill and by that time they would of probably moved on to something else,knowing how kids are, and from past experience.....

Batteries explode even without heat.

[Atomica]

Donna, on Apr 20 2005, 07:00 PM, said:

Batteries explode even without heat.

Oh, i have never had that happen before...ill take your word for it.

[g0liatH]

Donna, on Apr 16 2005, 05:29 PM, said:

The responsible thing to do is to tell his parents, once the temptation is there it won't leave. Your words to him mean nothing, tommorrow he could be setting his own home on fire.

Where are his parents anyways letting a 10yr old walk around with matches?

oh it's not hard to get some matches out of the house, believe me when I was like 8-9 I set a toilet installation on fire with a friend


Anyway, spooky, you did the right thing. I don't see much responsible young guys these days I think you did a good job. (this from a guy who's only 1 year older)

[syntex]

Yea i should know bout matches when i was 3 i think i lit a box in a closet lol how stupid,
You done the right thing but you shouldve told his mother aswell as that would hav ebnn better and his mother wouldve talked to him