What do you do when you stop a ten year old boy from smoking, and he retaliates with a volley of vulgarities?

Question

btw, the boy is a stranger to you, and you happen to chance upon him and his friends, whilst carrying your baby girl for a walk in the evening.

I actually did threaten to call the cops and it quieten the boy slightly.

Understood from some maids who frequent the area that this boy (barely 10 yrs old!) is a local bully and his parents cannot control him.

Pretty depressing to see a child like that when you have young children of your own.

Answer 1

I would totally call the authorities...If anything he could be put in counselling with his family or maybe they could gain the tools they needs to control this kid.  I know its hard to raise a family around bad influences...we end up worrying about our own kids.  I hate to blame his parents but they may not know a solution themselves.  Sometimes i think you should actually have to apply to have children.  Anyways I would say call social services even, if in the long run it may help him out.

Answer 2

The best thing you can do I think is complain to his parents, though from what you said it doesn't sound like that would do any good. Which being said, he isn't in your charge and it wasn't your place to stop him from smoking. I wouldn't be surprised to hear a certain amount of lip from any boy in such circumstances.

Answer 3

There's not much you can do if he's not your kid.  You could try reporting his parents for neglect but that's a tough call because you don't know the whole story unless you know the family.