Are you someone's 2nd mom?

Well even though its silly, I could argue I'm a few people's mom on mylot. I'm usually helping others with problems ranging from a variety of things... even homework on rare occasion. In your situation Honeydew, I think its better to be there for those kids and to give them advice. No matter what the parents are doing, your input can be a positive influence for the kids. Its important for development too. Your and your son's attention could be all it take to change, influence another kid just enough that they'll end up on a better path than if they'd not met either of you.

I dont know that I would worry about stepping on their toes seeing as how they dont seem to be there for them anyway. I have the same thing happening here with my sons friends. They come to me for advice and I tell them what I think, but I also advise that they clue their parents in too. I think that its a good thing that the kids have an adult to talk to about the things that they dont feel comfortable talking to their parents about rather than keeping it inside or doing the wrong thing. They all know that I would never withhold information from a parent if I see that something is harmful is going, on nor would I "rat" them out if it is something petty. As an outsider I can give them other views that they can think about rather than just "youre my kid and this is what youre going to do" view.