I hate having to put this photo up. I don't want to be reminded. Today is the day that I helped file a police report.
Me and my husband have told our eldest son who's 14 on countless occasions not to walk through the park. We've told him it's dangerous. We've told him it's too quiet and no one will be able to see what's happening from afar. We told him it's unsafe. We talked, we cajoled, we pleaded, we warned...for over two years...how many times can you tell your child not to do something before they listen? There's a West Indian saying: 'Those who can't hear will feel'. I was so hoping that he wouldn't have to learn the hard way but unfortunately that's what's happened. He got mugged.
He was walking through the park with a friend (it was still light and there were other people in the park) when a woman approached them and asked for the time. His friend said that he didn't trust them and carried on walking. My son looks at his phone in his pocket and told her the time. She walks away and a guy approaches him. Starts talking shite about what bus does he have to take to get him to a certain place and shows him his oyster card. He then asks him, 'Do you want to get hurt?' and stops my son in his tracks. He motions to his back pocket and my son thinks that he may have a knife. The phone is handed over and the couple run off.
So many emotions here. Frustration. Anger. I'm upset. I'm sad. I'm livid. I feel useless. The phone isn't worth anything. They'll be lucky to get a tenner for it. He's unhurt and okay but traumatised and I think it will knock his confidence. I'm upset that these criminals can get away with this and change my son's perception people. I'm angry that these bastards feel that they can just ask for a phone and it will be given to them. I'm sure that we've all told our kids to just let these types of people have the phone as it's a material possession and it can easily be replaced. A life can't. He definitely did the right thing. I have other friends whose children have been through similar situations also. Is this now the norm? Is this part of growing up?
Your poor boy and his mate.. kids this age have enough to deal with .. without having to put up with these bullys.... there is a Maori saying here in NZ.... Kia Kaha.... stay strong..
What crummy people, no integrity. With my boys (and myself) I was always really grateful if a lesson is learned without someone really getting hurt. Unfortunately it is a lesson to be learned, not to be too trusting in this world and think "it could never happen to me". In the future he will be more wary of strangers and that, unfortunately, is a good thing. He really reacted correctly and that, too, is a good thing! Sending peace to you!
oh that's awful. I hope he's ok, but he did the right thing. It sucks that some people think they can just take or destroy things other people work and pay for. And their actions will have an impact for a long time on you and your son but they will have forgotten it and moved onto the next victim already. I hope they get caught,
It happens around here too. I always tell my boy to be street aware and not to get his phone out when he is alone walking, especially at night. They will ask the time because most people will check their phone or sometimes a watch, then they know you have the stuff on you. So sorry for this experience for your son. I hope it doesn't knock his confidence, just makes him more aware of his surroundings. I've been mugged in London, Rome, Paris and they tried it on me in Berlin last year, but I shouted so loud they ran away. It is a part of living in a city and I am sad that it is. Glad he was unhurt, wishing him well.
@julzmaioro Kia Kaha. Thank you. I'll try to remember that one.
@carolscho Thanks Carol. My husbands always says that people are shysters until they prove themselves otherwise. I don't like to think that way but maybe I should...
@jesperani Thank Jenny. And so do I. I know so many people whose kid' have been mugged and nothing was done about it even though they knew the perpetrator. It's not right.
@casablanca Gosh, that sounds awful. Mugged in three cities and almost a fourth? Flipping heck. And yep, totally noted about the time. I've told him just to say no from now on or maybe I should get him a watch. That's probably the best solution.
Just tell him to say "no, sorry" or say nothing at all and move away to where other people are quickly. Watches sell as do phones. Never let anyone see you have anything of value out in public. Bless him, horrible experience.
November 29th, 2017
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@carolscho Thanks Carol. My husbands always says that people are shysters until they prove themselves otherwise. I don't like to think that way but maybe I should...
@jesperani Thank Jenny. And so do I. I know so many people whose kid' have been mugged and nothing was done about it even though they knew the perpetrator. It's not right.
@casablanca Gosh, that sounds awful. Mugged in three cities and almost a fourth? Flipping heck. And yep, totally noted about the time. I've told him just to say no from now on or maybe I should get him a watch. That's probably the best solution.
@peadar Thanks Peter. So am I!