Tractor rampage

ChickenNecks · May 11, 2005

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

I guess I am glad nobody was hurt, and the hellion is at his mothers house for the day. I need to regroup and decide on the punishment.

The irony is that the same tractor he went on the rampage with was going into storage for him for his 18th birthday. Time to sell, I guess

Now to find the dog.

Lew

kensfarm · May 11, 2005

Think of it this way.. you got through 15 years w/out him causing major damage in your life. My dad had to deal w/ me at 5 years old.. setting a forest fire w/ flames reaching 100 feet or more.. I'm sure glad it was dark when he got home.. but that belt didn't hurt any less.

Punishment: Besides working off the costs of damages.. make him pose on the tractor for a picture as he was dressed that night.. keep it on the fridge for the next couple years!

Take some pictures of all the damage he did.. make up a educational flyer titled "Alcohol made me Stupid!" Maybe his school could use it for an educational program.. his friends would probably pay for a copy.

Hope the dog is okay.. what a test of one's self control.. take a deep breath.. hope everything work's out.. good luck.

Cactus · May 11, 2005

( Maybe a call to the sheriff & a nite in jail would give him a dose of reality. I know if my son did anything like yours did there would be many long hours of work ahead for him this summer. it !! )

I am with you Tom...sounds to me like the kid is out of control. I would never have done anything like that when I was 15 or any age. I would get the law involved and make sure these boys are held accountable for their actions . Sounds to me like alcohol was too easy to get and some one should be liable for that as well. No way this should be laughed off.

SkyPup · May 11, 2005

Geez, really sorry to hear that story, alcohol only loosens one's inhibitions, it doesn't make anyone do anything they already did not want to do. He's needs a job ASAP to start earning some money to pay back and repair the damages. If he shows no remorse, then I would turn it over to the Sheriff. If he has no remorse, he has no future.

beenthere · May 11, 2005

This post says a lot.

""The hellion is at his mothers house""

and
""...tractor .... was going into storage for him for his 18th birthday...""

Doesn't take much to read between those lines. I'd guess you have a lot of work cut out for you, or a lot of grief in the future. Hope I am wrong here. I wish you the best regardless.

Many can learn from your experience, IMO.

getut · May 11, 2005

You can ALWAYS do what my dad did and get me back YEARS LATER!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I had a similar "issue" growing up and ran my parents station wagon through the shed at the bottom of the hill (with me passed out in the drivers seat). I payed dearly for that... but still not enough for what it cost my dad.

Just this past year... my dad who has since retired and moved into a condo to lessen his work load came over to my house to use my workshop/shed to change the oil in his truck. He backed my new Kioti out and snagged the ROPS on the roll up door and darn near ripped the whole front off my shed.

He was embarrased, but first thing out of his mouth was.. "paybacks a &%$^ ain't it?" All I could do then was smile. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

AndyM · May 11, 2005

I go outside in the middle of my son trying to flip his step-mothers VW Beetle over with my FEL. He was wearing nothing but his underwear and a cowboy hat and giggling like a schoolgirl. 

OH NO! Not the tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Every time MrsAndyM and I think about adopting a child, something like this happens to change my mind. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Best of luck, hope everything turns out okay!

SCDolphin · May 11, 2005

The Marines are looking for a few good men expert in demolition.

GerardC · May 11, 2005

My son (who is now 16) was on a program from school (probation of sorts) last year for a year and is doing great now. He learned.
I would get the LAW involved. It may tear you up inside to have your son arrested, but a lesson needs to be learned.
What if he/they hurt or killed somebody else that night or (God forbid) next time? Intervention has it's place and this is one of them. Best of luck to you and your son.

dmccarty · May 12, 2005

ChickenNecks,

My two cents would be that HE has to fix what he broke. Make him build a new dog house, make him fix the fence, replant the roses and garden. If no veggies from the garden this year, he gets to go buy Gramp Pa's veggiies at the store. With his own money. What takes money to fix you loan to him. With interest. He then gets to go work to pay off the debt.

If he does not fix it right, rip it up and have him do it again.

All of this should keep him pretty busy and help him pass them time while he is grounded.

I would keep your insurance out of it if you can. Save them for the big disasters. I also would keep the law out of it. Not that he would go to a JV detention facility for this but you don't want him to either. 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.

Good Luck,
Dan