I was on my way out the door to go to the grocery store and an eight year old boy started riding his bicycle up the driveway next door to me. I wasn't thinking anything about it because my neighbors have kids around that age. All of a sudden, the kid stops and yells at me, "Hey mister, can you ride bikes with me?" I told him that I was about to go to the store. He said, "Can I go to the store with you?" I said, "I don't think your mom would like that. You need to go on and play with friends your age or go home." He said, "I don't live with my mom. I live with my grandmother, and I know she won't mind." MY GOODNESS!!! The bravery of this kid was unbelievable. I got in my truck and started to go and he ran over to the passenger side and got in! I eventually convinced him to get out and go home. If I had thought about it, I would have gotten on my bike and said, "Let's go ask your grandmother." and went and told her what was going on, but I was just in shock at the nerve he had. Have any of you ever experienced anything like this?

some of the kids at work/camp have attitudes, which means that theyre pretty brave to be saying some of the things they do to an authority figure like myself. i think that the problem i have is that the kids see me more as a friend than the person in charge though. im really not that much older than them (compared to other people at work)

It's not the attitude that botheres me. It's just that if it were someone that had bad intentions it could have went really bad for a kid who is that willing to go with an adult. I have never seen this kid before.

I'd say contact the grandma and let her know what happened. That way, you're not at risk in case he says something, and she can teach the kid to know better.

I don't even know the kid. I don't know where he lives. I don't know how to get in contact with his grandmother. Looking back on it, I should have gotten on my bike and followed him home and told her, but at the time I was just in shock that he was so forward and trusting with me.

Well, if he does this again, then follow him. But I agree, children can be foolish even AFTER their parents or guardians teaching them. Unfortunately, some walk through this world with an attitude of invincibility.

let something happen to him. that way he learns!

I think you need to find this kid, follow him and locate his grandmother and voice your concerns. Not many people these days can be trusted. He may be new to the neighborhood and may just be looking for people to make friends with. BUT, he needs to know that not everyone can be trusted. Just because you looked friendly and you talked to him, doesn't mean everyone in the neighborhood is that way. I'd look around for his bike or look around specifically for him and see if you can find him. Try and stop something before it happens. Try getting him involved in your church and help introduce him around to kids his age that you do know. That way you know he has met some kids his own age.

[b]Chatmom wrote:[/b] [quote]I think you need to find this kid, follow him and locate his grandmother and voice your concerns. Not many people these days can be trusted. He may be new to the neighborhood and may just be looking for people to make friends with. BUT, he needs to know that not everyone can be trusted. Just because you looked friendly and you talked to him, doesn't mean everyone in the neighborhood is that way. I'd look around for his bike or look around specifically for him and see if you can find him. Try and stop something before it happens. Try getting him involved in your church and help introduce him around to kids his age that you do know. That way you know he has met some kids his own age.[/quote] Me... looking friendly? Have you seen my pics on Facebook? Do you think I look like I would be kid friendly? Don't get me wrong, kids are awesome. I take care of them at church when there's nobody else to take them, or when the main ones that watch them want a break. But it's just that if I were to spend some time trying to be a good influence on this random kid and he gets the idea that it would be okay to go up to other strangers, he could get in trouble with someone.