What to do???

[LostnFound]

I need some help with a decision I am trying to make. Last week my 12 year old son came back from a week long scout camp. During his camp a boy that we know punched my son in his stomache. He came home with a bruise the size of a baseball. After talking to the people that were around them at the time, I found out that they did get into an argument and names were exchanged back and forth but everyone has said that my son did nothing physical to this boy. After being called a name this boy pushed my son and then punched him hard in the stomache.

Our Scout Master got involved and told the boy he was not allowed in the camp because of this incident and other incidents that had occured. This was a Stake camp and the boys scout troop was camped next to our troop. The leaders of the boy were told and just kind of said "yeah we have a lot of problems with him."

What really upsets me was that the boys father was there and was told of what had happened and he just laughed at what his boy had done. So how can I talk to the parents when they think so lightly of the situation? Should I still let them know how upset I am? Will that do any good?

I just feel like I need to do something but really not sure what else to do.

Does anyone have any thoughts of what might help this situation?

[sweet little snowflake]

I think you should go show the bruise that your son has on his stomache,
to the boys parents.
I also think the boys dad is a bit childish if all he did is laugh when the situation happened. I think that the parents of the boy should discipline
him ,or he should recieve some kind of punishment from his parents.
I also think that the boy who hit your son should have to come and apoligize
to your son.
I hope this will help you out.

[Dia Minha]

In my opinion somebody needs to talk to the boy's parents. There is no excuse for his actions. Especially when there have been other problems before hand.

It seems like it might be something that could be taken care of between Scout Masters. If the problem can't be solved through the Scout Masters than it should be brought up with the bishopric member over scouts. I'm not saying you shouldn't be involved in the process, but if his parents are not willing to fix it then someone else needs to.

[5ft Diva]

I'm being a sounding board here...

What would be your purpose in talking to the parents? What do you want to have happen? What do you want your son to get out of this experience? How much of this incident does your son own?

Clarifying your purpose and goals before sitting down and talking to the parents might be a good indicator of whether or not talking to them at all would be a good idea. The fact that the father laughed added to the fact that it's a week later makes one wonder how affective this approach will be if the purpose is indeed to help your son.

Another question: What does your son think? Does he even care that it's taken to the next step?

[bookworm]

I know about this situation, and I would say you and your dh should talk to the parents together- maybe without the boys? I agree with Diva that you should have a clear goal in mind.

I am very good friends with this boy's mom- he hangs with my son a lot, but only when he's behaving because my son won't put up with his crap. My boys told me about this incident and I was really surprised, because I thought that normally all those boys got along pretty well.

I'm so sorry he was bruised!! I had no idea it was so bad, and I know for a fact his mom doesn't realize it was that serious, either. I would talk to them if I were you- the sooner the better. Good luck!!