Tractor rampage

edski · May 12, 2005

ChickenNecks,
Now that I've stopped LMAO...I feel your pain.
I've pulled some dumb stunts in my time, but your boy is truely an overachiever.

Couple of questions:
1) Boxers or briefs? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
2) What color was the hat? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So sorry, just can't help it.

On the serious side, I'd avoid the Law (unless the Sheriff is a friend), and insurance company if I could. This is a family matter and no one benefits by establishing a "record." You never know, he may run for office someday or need a security clearance.
Try to make the punishment fit the crime. Work his butt off until the damage is repaired, but give him some hope. Perhaps grounded until the work is complete, and the VW is paid for.
Be glad no one was hurt, that the property damage was yours and not a neighbors, and that you have another opportunity to teach him responsibility for his actions.
Good luck, I don't envy you one iota.

Dozernut · May 12, 2005

He attacked his step mothers car and ran off to his mothers house. The young man is still dealing with the issue of your divorce and remarriage. I am not condoning what he did and he should be punished, but you need to look at the underlying problem. The alcohol just brought the anger to the surface.

GerardC · May 12, 2005

I had a class a year or so ago that mention that once a kid gets into the "system" the kid will almost certainly be back. Once in the system they don't get out. 

I have to disagree with your statement. My son is doing FANTASTIC now because he was in the system. In fact, he is a mentor for others now. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

GerardC · May 12, 2005

This is a family matter and no one benefits by establishing a "record." 

The record would disappear as he is a minor.

riptides · May 12, 2005

There are a lot of excellent replies to your post.

All I can say, is thank goodness no one was hurt. At least your thinking about a response to the actions. Another good thing.

Sometimes when actions are taken against you, one might fly off the handle in response.

Best of luck.
-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dmccarty · May 12, 2005

GerardC,

( I had a class a year or so ago that mention that once a kid gets into the "system" the kid will almost certainly be back. Once in the system they don't get out. )

I KNEW this was going to come back at me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The class was on dealing with JV offenders. There was a study done in NC that looked at JV arrests and, as I remember it, if the person arrested was sent to a JV facility. If the offender went into a facility almost all became repeat offenders. This also had to be a rural vs urban situation since there are not that manyJV facilities and the ones the exists have even fewer beds. Most facilities are in urban areas as well not in the rural counties. So most rural JV offenders went home to family and not a facility. Plus I think it is harder to get into trouble in a rural setting that in a city. There just are not that many kids standing on the corner in the country waiting for trouble. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Later,
Dan /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

edski · May 12, 2005

( The record would disappear as he is a minor. )

GerardC,
I'm sure there was a time when paper records would disappear, but that time has passed. Data storage is just too cheap today. Every record collected by the locals is shared with the Feds. While these records may be expunged at the local level, they don't go away completely.

Remember when we were kids and our teachers threatened that our bad behavior would go on our "permanent record." Thought it was funny at the time, and don't mean to come off as paranoid or a conspiracy theorist, but it's become real.

ps...I'm very glad for you that your family's experience w/in the "system" has turned out well. It shows that you provided a sound foundation to build upon.

Cactus · May 12, 2005

( I would keep your insurance out of it if you can )
I agree...let the boy pay the bill in one form or another....

lonesome · May 12, 2005

Your profile does not say what type tractor it is, but it must mean something to you or you would not want to give it to your son on his 18th! I would not sell the tractor, kinda like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Sell or keep the tractor for the right reasons. I agree you should get the LAW involved. I remember I was 16 and there was a curfew 11 PM for kids under 18. Well I got caught at 3 AM, they took me to the station and called dad, his response "I need my sleep so I can work today, hold him until I go to work!" Dad showed up at 8:30 and signed for me. I did pay the price when he got home from work that evening.