I’m going to sue!

After the excitement of Christmas, what passes for normality around these parts is returning. The Beavers started back up again today. I take the dog for a walk along the beach for the hour Sam is in there. I park at the scout hall and wander off, returning a few minutes before they’re due out. Tonight I returned to find Sam at the car and the Beaver leaders at the door. I thought I was late, but was informed that Sam had ran off outside shouting “I’m going to sue!”

“I’m going to sue them!”

“Why? What’s happened?”

“They made me play a game that they knew would deliberately hurt people!”

“What game?”

“The one where they spin a rope around on the ground and we have to jump over it.”

“And you accidentally tripped and hurt yourself?”

“Yes, do you know how serious a brain haemorrhage is? I could have brain damage.”

“I think you’ve had that for years. You’re going back in.”

I walk him back to the scout hall. 

“No I’m not, this is as far as I’m going!”

“You’re going back in or no Xbox for a week.”

“Hrrmph!” and he disappears back inside.

Five minutes later, Beavers has finished, the leaders had a talk to Sam and he wandered out. On the way home we had a discussion about what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour and how he should have talked to the leaders about what happened rather than emotionally reacting and running away. I explained the leaders were there to help him, and if something bad happens, the leaders are there for his benefit and safety.

When we got home I got Sam to explain to his mum what happened. I thought about how we should punish him by making him write letters of apology to his leaders for running off, A few moments later I hear my wife’s voice in the living room informing Sam he’s going to be doing exactly that.