How do you deal with obnoxious teenagers that aren't yours?

teenager standing on wall - one of the many awesome free photos I found at www.bigfoto.com
@Katlady2 (9904)
United States
February 3, 2007 8:21pm CST
I need help with this badly. My daughter is a mentor in the Friday Night Live program at her school. Most of the proteges from the middle school are pretty decent and respectful. But there are 3 boys that are constantly rude, foul mouthed, and very disrespectful. I am not directly involved, myself, but I do interact with the kids when I pick my daughter up in the afternoons. The last time I showed up, these boys were outside with a football, and they were not being careful of the vehicles around. When the leader and my daughter told them to go inside, they mouthed off saying that they didn't have to listen to anyone. Here is where I come in...one of the boys made as if to throw the football at my car (as that's where my daughter and the leader were standing), but before it left the boy's hand, I was out of the car and telling him in a quiet tone that he better not throw the ball and to knock it off. All three boys proceded to cuss me out as well as my daughter, and continued back talking the leader who was doing the best she could to defuse the situation. I decided to get back in my car before I said something I would regret (since it was on school grounds). How would you have dealt with them, or a similar situation? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
3 people like this
4 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Feb 07
To be honest Kat, most Teenagers today are so out of hand and have no respect and can turn Violent, you are best of not saying anything and doing what you did, get back in the Car. Most cases it is down to the Fact that Parents don't care anymore. You did right by getting back in the Car. Hugs to you
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
13 Feb 07
Well I am glad abou that and hope i stays that way to
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
13 Feb 07
Thanks hon. These kids are something else. But so far I haven't had any more problems with them. I hope it stays that way.
1 person likes this
@weemam (13372)
4 Feb 07
I had much the same thing happen to me , I took out my mobile phone and said " if you wont listen to me , then the police might advise me what to do"thank goodness it worked . I am not sure to be honest if I really would have called them as I was shaking in my shoes , but it worked and that was the main thing , I think you did the right thing though in the circumstances .. xx
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I thought about doing that, but those boys probably would've gotten even mouthier. Thanks for the response.
@rusty2rusty (6763)
• Defiance, Ohio
4 Feb 07
It sounds like you did what was best in the situation you were in. You got in your car and left. But the one thing you should of done was called the principal and let him know what was going.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
4 Feb 07
Thanks for responding. I will definitely let the principal of both the high school and the middle school know what is going on. Excellent suggestion...thanks.
@XxAngelxX (2830)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
Tough situation. I think you handled it the best way though. There's not a lot you can do nowadays. Teenagers can be so rude and disrespectful, they give the rest of them a bad name. I don't really know what I would have done in that situation however I'm wondering if the leader has any dealings with the parents. Perhaps the leader could suggest the parents have a chat with their kids as they are getting out of hand.
1 person likes this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
4 Feb 07
Thanks for the response and encouragement.