[purslaine]

What would you do if your 13 year old son was climbing onto the roof of the gazebo across the street (in a park) and swinging off of it using a bouncy tree branch?

1. ignore the behaviour

2. lecture children on safety, remind them this may be illegal/cause them to recieve lectures by passerby - but then let them decide whether to carry on

3. Tell them to knock it off in no uncertain terms!

 

[choli]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymuggle What would you do if your 13 year old son was climbing onto the roof of the gazebo across the street (in a park) and swinging off of it using a bouncy tree branch? 1. ignore the behaviour 2. lecture children on safety, remind them this may be ilegal/cause them to recieve lectures by passerby - but them let them decide whether to carry on 3. Tell them to knock it off in no uncertain terms!

As long as he wasn't damaging the tree or the gazebo I'd ignore it. I don't consider that such unsafe behaviour, I've done way more dangerous things myself.

 

[Billycatmom]

#3 - I'd tell him to get down. It's not our gazebo or tree. Use them properly (don't climb on the gazebo and swing on the tree) or just get away from them.

If the gazebo and tree were in our backyard, I wouldn't care.

Billycatmom

 

[Cherie2]

:
MY son would never do anything like that!

I like door number 2

 

[MusicianDad]

Quote:

#3 - I'd tell him to get down. It's not our gazebo or tree. Use them properly (don't climb on the gazebo and swing on the tree) or just get away from them. If the gazebo and tree were in our backyard, I wouldn't care. Billycatmom

That's what I'd do too.

Not our gazebo means it can't be used for whatevery you feel like using it for and at 13 I'd expect him to know that.

 

[nextcommercial]

Number three.

Unless it's a really strong tree. The branch could break, which isn't O.K, since it isn't your property, and you could sue the city, since it's the city's property. Then the entire city would go into bankruptcy, and several people would be laid off, and many families could lose their home and car.. all because he wanted to use a tree as a toy.

But, if it were in YOUR backyard, I'd ignore the behavior and if he falls I'd say "I bet that hurts... here's an icepack"

But, in all seriousness. If what he is doing is destructive in any way, he needs to stop. If you looked out your window, and saw someone else's 13 yr old in a tree doing that same thing, and you think it would make you mad, then it's making someone else mad. He should get out.

This can't be the ONLY thing to do at the park. Surely he can amuse himself in another way that doesn't involve jumping on tree branches.

 

[purslaine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nextcommercial Number three. Unless it's a really strong tree. The branch could break, which isn't O.K, since it isn't your property, and you could sue the city, since it's the city's property. Then the entire city would go into bankruptcy, and several people would be laid off, and many families could lose their home and car.. all because he wanted to use a tree as a toy. But, if it were in YOUR backyard, I'd ignore the behavior and if he falls I'd say "I bet that hurts... here's an icepack" But, in all seriousness. If what he is doing is destructive in any way, he needs to stop. If you looked out your window, and saw someone else's 13 yr old in a tree doing that same thing, and you think it would make you mad, then it's making someone else mad. He should get out. This can't be the ONLY thing to do at the park. Surely he can amuse himself in another way that doesn't involve jumping on tree branches.

Blue mine.

See, the interesting thing is I have seen other kids on the roof of the gazebo and it does not make me mad. Maybe I see the world in a different way - but there are so many worse things a 13 yr old can do than jump from roof to branch

I did go with number 2 - thus far.

Thanks for the input.

Kathy

 

[2xy]

Hmm....at first I was thinking #2, but then I switched to #1.

First of all, at age 13, I'm sure he already knows that people might disapprove of that behavior and that there's a possibility he might get hurt. I know my 13yo isn't oblivious to laws and such, and neither was DS1 when he was 13.

Secondly, if it's a public park then it belongs to everyone. As long as he's not hurting anyone or breaking things, I don't see the problem.

 

[nextcommercial]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymuggle Blue mine. See, the interesting thing is I have seen other kids on the roof of the gazebo and it does not make me mad. Maybe I see the world in a different way - but there are so many worse things a 13 yr old can do than jump from roof to branch I did go with number 2 - thus far. Thanks for the input. Kathy

And the funny thing is, the gazeebo part doesn't bother me at all. But, the tree does.

Maybe since I live in Phoenix, and the trees here are not strong enough to support a teenager using it to swing from, I see it as destructive. It's a park for everybody.. but not something that should be mistreated just because it's public property.

If the tree can't be damaged, then I wouldn't care or even look twice. I figure 13 yr olds are going to do dangerous things, and that is one thing that wouldn't worry me. (safety wise) because I worry a LOT more about the kids at the skate park, than I do about a kid climbing on a gazeebo. I can't even look at the kids in the skate park.

 

[Storm Bride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by choli As long as he wasn't damaging the tree or the gazebo I'd ignore it. I don't consider that such unsafe behaviour, I've done way more dangerous things myself.

:
DS1 has always done stuff like that. When he was younger, I gave him lectures/guidelines on safety and respect for other people's property, but I stopped that a long time ago. I don't think it would occur to me that a gazebo in a park was off limits, honestly (when people said that, I could see it, but I don't think I'd have thought about it - public property and all). DS1 always gives tree limbs a once over before he climbs them, and he's never broken one, afaik.

Honestly, trying to stop ds1 from this kind of thing was a bit like trying to stop him from breathing. He's a gymnast now, and is thinking of becoming a stuntman, none of which surprises me (although my worried maternal side hopes he picks something less...fraught than stuntwork).

 

[2xy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nextcommercial Maybe since I live in Phoenix, and the trees here are not strong enough to support a teenager using it to swing from, I see it as destructive.

Maybe since my kids are pipsqueaks, I'm not concerned that they'd break the tree.

My almost-14yo hasn't hit 100 lbs. yet. He's almost 5'3" and skinny as a rail.

 

[Cherie2]

just curious what did he decide to do?

 

[purslaine]

I think at this moment he is heading for:

"I know I could get in trouble - but it looks so darn fun!"

To be honst - it does look fun. The branch actually bounces and it looks like a good ride.

There is a dock leaning against the gazebo - which is how they climb up there. Once the dock is in the river, I don't think the gazebo will be so easy to climb - hence this may be a self-limiting type activity.

I do not think the branch will break - truth is, DS is cautious in many regards and would not use a branch he thought was ricketty.

 

[TinkerBelle]

Tell him to knock it off and go into detail about danger, lawsuits and responsibility. He is old enough to know better.

 

[34me]

Well, I work for Parks and Rec and happen to be the proud owner of an almost 13 yo boy. I'd probably do #2. Because mine can always use some reminding about other people's feeling, rights and responcibilities. But it just might be too much fun.

 

[mommy68]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billycatmom #3 - I'd tell him to get down. It's not our gazebo or tree. Use them properly (don't climb on the gazebo and swing on the tree) or just get away from them. If the gazebo and tree were in our backyard, I wouldn't care.

I agree. I wouldn't allow it on someone else's property.

If this were in our own private yard then I'd tell him to go for it and hope he enjoys himself.

 

[Labbemama]

Yeah, I'd tell him to be careful and that I did not feel like going to the urgent care tonight for any x-rays if he breaks anything. I'd be worried about the roof of the gazebo or missing the branch on the jump and falling and breaking something, like a wrist, ankle or tailbone. I once fell half thru the ceiling of our attic, skinned myself up to my ribs. No fun. Got stuck for a minute and luckily someone heard me screaming and caught me before it caved in. So, I would be cautious.

 

[Serendipity]

I would join him!

 

[churndash]

Number 3 for me, for sure!

 

[purslaine]

Alas, the dock, as predicted, was put in the water today.
He was starting to feel a little worried about being "caught".

I am glad he had some fun - but I am nostly relieved it is over, lol.

Kathy