Do you think I am expecting too much??

**kcsmom76** · 03-19-2010, 11:16 PM

Yesterday afternoon I was sitting here on the computer and the neighbor boy comes in. He says, "Amy, look at me." I looked up and saw he had one of those "Scream" Halloween face masks that has the fluid pump in it.

Anyway, I looked up at him and told him I already saw it. And he said, "No Amy look." He took the pump off the mask and squeezed the pump and shot GREEN food coloring all over my living room. And when I say ALL over I mean everything but the ceiling!!!

I hollered for dh and started immediately cleaning off my computer. Dh came in and he was POed. He told the little boy the go home. We both got out the spray bleach and went to work. It came off almost everything, but the floor and the couch. Our floors are unfinished hardwood. I took the bleach to them and dh scrubbed and scrubbed. It is down in to the grooves of the wood and will NOT come out. Our couch is suede and it comes out a little but you can still see the green tint.

The neighbors uncle came over and was on the phone with the Dad. He told him it was everywhere and it was all over me. I didn't even think about me. It was in my hair and all over my clothes and running down my face. I knew it was on my clothes but didn't even think about my face. Dh said I thought you knew it was all over you.

Anyway, the neighbor uncle tried to help us for 2 minutes and then went home. I thought when the parents got home they would come over and offer to help us get it cleaned. They didn't. Then today the hubby was home most of the day and didn't even come over. They have been home all evening today and have not called, emailed, or came over to check out the damage. I know they know. The uncle was on the phone with them when he came over. He told them it wasn't coming out of the floor and it would have to be sanded. He is a former contractor.

I can't believe they haven't even sent someone over to apologize or something, but dh isn't surprised in the least. It is not like we can afford to have it cleaned and they get free Cherokee casino money all the time. If nothing else they could come and clean it themselves or offer. But nothing.

Am I just expecting too much?? I don't think I am. If my kid did that I would be over helping as much as I could. And these people are supposed friends of ours.

**daughter of pearl** · 03-19-2010, 11:30 PM

If that was my kid, I would be sanding your floors, reupholstering your couch and generally begging for forgiveness.

I might also be having a pretty stern talk with Mr. Scream!

**Libby** · 03-20-2010, 12:29 AM

Oh. My. Goodness!

I'd go over and talk to them about the child and the mask (what type of ink is in it etc) and ask if they've had mishaps with it as well at their house and how they managed to get their place clean b/c you can't. And go from there.

You don't have to be mean/rude (pissed & seething on the inside yes) but you have a right to table this issue. This was NOT acceptable and they need to own up to it and at least apologize. I mean if its that kind of ink inside, why does their child have access to it?!

**mauimagic** · 03-20-2010, 12:34 AM

WOW!! You have every right for the parents to make things right in your home. Please take pictures of what is left to do to return your home to the condition it was before he became a green machine. Unbelievable. I am bordering on speechless. This is vandalism. Libby's advice is much more appropriate than what I would suggest. Please let us know how it goes.

**Dutchie** · 03-20-2010, 03:14 AM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

WOW!! You have every right for the parents to make things right in your home. Please take pictures of what is left to do to return your home to the condition it was before he became a green machine. Unbelievable. I am bordering on speechless. This is vandalism. Libby's advice is much more appropriate than what I would suggest. Please let us know how it goes.

MM said it - I would be the same.

Most people with kids here have third party insurance. Maybe these people have it. This is def. something for this kind of insurance.

**Greebo** · 03-20-2010, 06:36 AM

The parents haven't addressed it yet?

Go over there and tell them they need to make this right or you will force the issue. Be polite, don't lose your cool - if they get confrontational, walk away, be firm but don't do anything to make it worse.

If they refuse, if it's clear that they're not going to address the issue, call the police and file a vandalism report. Then, call your insurance company and tell them exactly what happened and who's responsible and that you have the police report.

At our rental, there was a neighbor boy who would damage our property. He'd throw stones at our building, he'd run over our 'for rent' signs, etc. We would talk to him about it - the damage would continue. Often we did not witness it - we didn't live there obviously (it felt like it sometimes) but we saw enough. So did another neighbor who we were friendly with.

So we called the police. We filed a formal complaint. We told him who we suspected. The cop went next door and had a chat with him.

Oh the parents were all upset - it wasn't our boy - it was so and so - etc. Meanwhile - there was never any more vandalism.

**Nada.Leona** · 03-20-2010, 06:59 AM

First off, start taking pictures of everything you weren't able to clean.

Next, find some pictures of the place before it was damaged.

Then, go over and show them.

Next stop -- Judge Judy.

**Darlene** · 03-20-2010, 08:10 AM

I'd ask them to come over to see the damage, they may not realize just how bad things are or are hoping they aren't. I'm pretty sure he (the kid) thought this was just green colored liquid and didn't realize what a permanent problem he was creating. How old is this kid who calls you by your first name? Just old fashioned about that I guess....
All this said, kids do stupid things and parents are accountable. Talk it out and get it resolved nicely or take those pics & head to small claims court.
Good luck!

**Natalie's Nesters** · 03-20-2010, 08:55 AM

Nice Manners! I agree that you should take pictures, try talking to the parents. I do not know if I would allow the kid back into my home, if he wants to visit, there's a front porch. Good luck with this!

**bumplett** · 03-20-2010, 09:30 AM

Just my opinion, but you said they are 'friends' so maybe they are embarrassed to come over - and hope that it's not that bad -

I wouldn't hold it against the kid - he's just a kid. I'm sure it wasn't intentional.

Were you watching him? Did you even know he was in the house? Was he supposed to be under your supervision?
I don't mean this to sound cruel, but if that's the case, it's just as much your responsibility as it is the parents - if you were watching him, you should have known what he was doing before it happened.

now, please don't think I'm being horrid - this is a primary reason I don't let the neighbor kids INSIDE - too much of a liability.

Just think about it from all angles before you confront your neighbor friends. It would be a shame to lose friends over an accident.

Meanwhile, I despise my neighbor across the street - I wouldn't wish that stress on anyone. I have fantasies that 18 wheeler trucks drive through her house - or fire, or tornado, or flash floods - *sigh*

**cab54** · 03-20-2010, 09:49 AM

I knew there was going to be trouble when you said he called you Amy instead of Mrs. ______. That just smacks of disrespect to me, from a kid. Our sons called everyone Mr., Mrs., Sister, Father, etc. (Catholic school) They are 24 and 26, and STILL call friends of the family Mr. unless the person specifically gives asks them to call them "John" now. Anyway....I digress........

No, you are not asking too much. These people sound like ***holes.

My son was horsing around at someone's house (in their basement) and broke a chair that was one of a little tea table and chairs the mother had when she was a girl (in other words--heirloom). I felt terrible.

My son had to go over there and appologize in person, and tell them he would work to earn the money to buy a chair as close to the original as possible (it couldn't be fixed)..........and he did. Or we would have killed him (LOL, not really, but he was made to see the seriousness of what he had done, and make amends.)

DS was also grounded at home.

**fernykins** · 03-20-2010, 09:58 AM

The parents are responsible for thier child. I raised 6 anything that the broke was replaced and they were in a world of hurt. They did not brake or ruin very many thinks. They never called an adult by thier first name unless they were asked to. I have been dealing with all my sons friends rigt now and it is yes mam even in emails. I hope they man up and come over and talk to you
Fern

**shoiji** · 03-20-2010, 11:30 AM

Try murphys oil soap on the hardwood floors. No you are not asking to much for some kind of consideration from your neighbors. Unfortunately some people just do not get it.

**AnW819** · 03-20-2010, 12:06 PM

Wow I can't believe that!!! I would have been freaking out!

**craftypam** · 03-20-2010, 01:10 PM

I don't know if this will help or not. One Sunday morning before we were up our two lovely (LOL) sons knowing full well there was a rule about throwing a hardball anywhere around our house decided to play catch in the street. Well the ball went right through our neighbors car window that was parked in the street. Well our homeowners insurance covered having her window fixed. Maybe this will work for you.

PS I do not think you are asking too much. Some people just don't get it!!!! Our neighbors grandson broke our garage window and they just said too bad. Well what goes around comes around. That grandson is almost 25 and still irresponsible and she has a son who is 40 moving in and out of her house.