What to do about this
- Thread starter Cuchilo
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Its all wrong isn't it but what can i do ? Nothing
Its all wrong isn't it but what can i do ? Nothing
Explain the siutation to his mother then give the kid a bit of your time, the kid will get bored of you soon enough but will also be eternally grateful to you.
I think the man + young boy = up to no good is a bag of bollox.
DRM
Guru
- Location
- West Yorks
If your going to help the lad, you should do so with another adult, preferably one of his parents present, as much for your protection as his, don't do any of this bike maintenance with only you and him, this has the potential to end very badly, you must cover your back, sadly this is how society is now.
annedonnelly
Girl from the North Country
- Location
- Canonbie
Any chance you could go along to the youth club and show everyone how to fix a puncture? Safer environment for you. The kids there might then be able to help each other out. And some kudos to your neighbour's kid for bringing a "cool adult" along to the club.
Fnaar
Smutmaster General
- Location
- Thumberland
a) Doesn't sound like the poor kid has mum/stepdad who might encourage hime to go to youth clubs, sadly
b) Not sure the concept of a 'youth club' is so widespread these day
c) @Cuchilo would prob'ly have to get DBS-cbhecked (formerly CRB)
Well that was awkward ! I caught his mum this morning and mentioned he keeps knocking . She said she knew he had done it once and she keeps telling him not to knock . I said i didnt mind but if her boyfriend wants to bring him round tonight i will show them both how to fix a puncture . She seemed more worried that i was getting bothered .
Globalti
Legendary Member
I used to get this when I was a batchelor; several of the nine children of a neighbour who couldn't be bothered to get up off his fat arse (unless it was to go on a DSS-paid holiday in Spain, leaving all the kids in the care of the oldest) used to come round asking me to pump tyres, mend bikes and scooters and pump footballs. I was aware that the entitlement-aware parents might try to stitch me up as a young, well-spoken, single newcomer to the area so I had a strict rule: nobody was allowed to cross the threshold, ever. I also discovered that children are remarkably compliant and you only had to say: "Right lads, time for you to go home now!" and they would all beetle off.
Why not give the lad a cheap £2.99 Bluemells pump and a puncture repair kit and teach him to use them? That's got to be better than fixing the punctures for him.
Why not give the lad a cheap £2.99 Bluemells pump and a puncture repair kit and teach him to use them? That's got to be better than fixing the punctures for him.
Give the kid what time you feel able to afford and don't worry about the situation.
"Suspicion is the companion of all mean souls and the bane of good society."
Electric_Andy
Heavy Metal Fan
- Location
- Plymouth
Probably not much to do with a puncture; boy craves attention. Tell him he can look up how to fix a puncture on the internet. Or take him back home and ask the mother/BF (in front of the boy) to teach him what's what. If you don't want to lend him your bike, then don't. If you don't want to fix punctures, then don't. You're not a social worker, and to be honest if you give an inch he'll start taking a mile. Sad state of affairs I know, but there's nothing ruder than a young person leeching of relative strangers because they have not been taught better.
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
Positive male role models outside of the immediate family are incredibly important for adolescent boys.
I remember looking up to certain people in that category as a kid and their influence was considerable even though I had/have a fully involved & committed Dad with whom I did lots of wonderful things.
With that in mind, if you can spare the time to chat with this lad, perhaps with the garage door open & not behind closed doors, it would be an act of kindness to keep it up. Setting boundaries of kit etc. is perfectly appropriate.
I appreciate very much our neighbour, also a Dad, who tolerates my boys asking him about his racing cars, mechanical work, double garage, remote control kits etc. They want to be like him when they grow up which is no bad thing.
I remember looking up to certain people in that category as a kid and their influence was considerable even though I had/have a fully involved & committed Dad with whom I did lots of wonderful things.
With that in mind, if you can spare the time to chat with this lad, perhaps with the garage door open & not behind closed doors, it would be an act of kindness to keep it up. Setting boundaries of kit etc. is perfectly appropriate.
I appreciate very much our neighbour, also a Dad, who tolerates my boys asking him about his racing cars, mechanical work, double garage, remote control kits etc. They want to be like him when they grow up which is no bad thing.
