Halloween thugs

[SimonA]

There has been a nice atmosphere in my area this evening, lots of small children having fun. Unfortunately a group of teenage thugs spoiled the evening for my kids.

My kids had grown pumpkins and carved them. They were really proud of them and had put them on display outside our house.

The thugs smashed them up and burnt the glow sticks my kids had put in the grass. They then gave us 4 letter abuse as they run off.

My kids are in tears. What exactly can you say to them?

[Jeanied]

That it is not the same everywhere - that some kids are nasty and they need to be avoided- that life is full of potential and risks. What can I say, I just wish your kids had come to my place for Halloween as it was great for me! Look on the trick or treat thread.

[SMT]

Although I grow my own pumpkins I tend not to put the pumpkins out on Halloween believing that they will sucumb to a similar fate as you described. Same for snowmen at christmas time. When I was a kid I was proud as punch of this almighty snowman. Next morning, it was trashed with foot prints all over it. Nothing you can do about it really. Shame the few spoil the fun.

[Brengirl]

I too feel so sad for your littluns Simon but believe you me I feel sadder for the kids who spoilt your evening. Unless they mend their ways they will always be losers.

[piskieinboots]

I too feel so sad for your littluns Simon but believe you me I feel sadder for the kids who spoilt your evening. Unless they mend their ways they will always be losers.

Spot on - and please don't let some such ruin this for your children in the furture Simon.

Yes it is a 'mercan import in its present incarnation, but it is what we have and the kids love it, let them enjoy it

[Littlemouse]

We put our pumpkin lantern out to indicate trick or treaters were welcome but when the flush of youngsters was over we bought it back in.. not wishing to welcome any trouble makers out later in the evening.

[Incy]

We are fortunate here that almost all our road are friendly and welcoming. The oldest child to trick or treat was around 12 and they were all very sweet and polite. What a shame for your little ones to have the fun spoilt like that. Maybe next year you could have the pumpkins inside the window rather than on the lawn where they are vulnerable to these kind of thugs. That way the children can still enjoy making and displaying them without the risk.

[maytreefrannie]

So sorry that your children were upset by the behaviour of a few, Simon A.

I know it's not much comfort, but did you take photos of the pumpkins with or without kids BEFORE they were messed up?

[weekendwellies]

I feel for you Simon, and for your kids.
I have had heaps of trouble from the same type of children all the time my own have been growing up.
I think that the psychology of the youths that do this sort of thing is that, because their family life may not be as great as your kids' obviously is, they want to spoil it for anyone who is having a great time.

Now that mine are a bit older, 17 & 15, things seem to be easing off. But still it leaves a bad taste.
Try to keep doing all the regular fun things for your own, and try not to let the bad behaviour of a few less fortunates spoil the joy you have in your family.

[janeyo]

Let's hope it doesn't put them off enjoying things next year.
We had no 'knockers' after 8.15. All children and some teenage girls (didn't think they ate chocolate lol), were all very polite and friendly. All dressed up and most with parents at the end of the drive waiting.

I hope you took lots of photos beforethe carnage and hope the youths in question don't get visited by Father Christmas!

[SlugLobber]

Same thing happened to my pumpkin, too. I did remark to my OH that for all these bar stewards knew, they were carved by kiddies. We were going to use ours for a kids party next week. I've stapled mine together, but I'm not sure it'll be up to the job and it sure won't have the same effect. So sorry that your kids' pumpkins got smashed, too. We were thinking of putting something in our Parish news, to shame the parents into actually supervising their feral offspring, but chances are the parents were getting smashed themselves.

[Rabidbun]

I hope you took lots of photos before the carnage and hope the youths in question don't get visited by Father Christmas!

Or that they do, and it's the Futurama version.

Hope the pumpkins recover and that the wee ones aren't too traumatised by the whole thing.