Update to Responsible Adult Post

September 6, 2011 · 0 comments

In case you missed it, while a neighborhood girl (Let’s call her X) was over for the boys’ birthday party, some not-so-good things were searched for on Mike’s iPad. Catch up here.

We were gone pretty much all day on Sunday, so when the doorbell rang in the evening, we knew who it was.  I sent Mike to the door to listen to X’s apology.  She had written out her apology, saying that she was sorry for looking at inappropriate things, etc. and that she hoped that she would still be allowed to come over and play.   I didn’t hear her, but Mike said that her voice cracked and she had a hard time not crying.  I imagine it was very difficult for her; Mike hated having to hear her apologize, but we all knew it was the right thing.

I was really concerned it was cause tension between X’s parents and us – you just never know how people are going to react. It was possible (though not probable with them) that the parents could have blamed us or someone else.  I’m thankful her parents were on the ball and as horrified as we were.

The worst part is that we all are pretty sure where the influence came from.  There is a family across the street that has 3 daughters, ages 9, 13 and 16 (or so) and there are always boys and people coming and going, not to mention that the parents are rarely there.  I knew that X didn’t come up with the idea herself, especially since she told me she didn’t even have a Club Penguin account because her mom didn’t like her to be online! She also told me that the girl from across the street had a boyfriend and was dating (at age 9!?).  I asked what that meant, but she really had no idea, so I know she was more innocent than the search led us to believe!

The other girl we thought was involved truly had no clue as to what her parents were talking about, so luckily the search results were only seen by X.  X did apologize to them as well, causing tears all around.

It’s hard, because while it is almost certainly an opportunity  to talk to the boys, or at least Matt, about such things, I also felt like talking about it now makes it more real and in the forefront of his mind.  How do you warn against internet p)rn when he doesn’t even know what sex is?? Are we supposed to talk to him about sex at age 8???? My gut instinct says not yet, but what if I’m just projecting?

What would you do?

 

 

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