DEAR ABBY: I live in a small, semirural neighborhood. My neighbors did not discipline their kids, and now they are teenagers. Six months ago, I caught the younger one trying to stand on my chain-link fence, and last year the gate to the fence to my front yard. This morning, I was mowing my yard on their side of my house and saw a decorative piece of my post lying on the ground.
They are generally good neighbors. They are great with my dog, and I don’t want to ruin the friendship. Should I say something to the parents, knowing I don’t have video, or should I confront their son, or neither? -- TEEN-AFFECTED IN THE SOUTH
DEAR TEEN-AFFECTED: Do not ignore this, hoping it will go away. Your fencepost has now been damaged and needs to be repaired. Start by talking to the boy who did it. Tell him you have always liked him and are disappointed in his poor judgment.
Ask how he plans to make things right. (He could “work it off” by watering your lawn, walking your dog, etc., for a specific amount of time.) If, however, he is disrespectful, THAT would be the time to talk to his parents.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
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