Where did I go wrong?

[melibreits]

Late yesterday afternoon I was working at my desk when I heard a louder-than-usual commotion downstairs from the kids in the family room.... I flew out of my chair in record speed when I heard the younger one say, "I'm telling Mom! You probably broke her guitar!" I had a moment of absolute panic as I thought, oh my God--what if I had left my new 12-string Breedlove acoustic out in its stand and they smashed it? I got downstairs to discover that they had been having a war with their nerf dart guns, and were using the case for my 360/12v64 as a shield, with the guitar still in it! Thank God, the guitar was just fine--but I gave them a very severe tongue lashing and told them that if they ever, ever abused my guitars or gear in such a way again there would be dire consequences.... I haven't been so furious in a long time!

I went to bed early with a splitting headache.... I feel like I need a vacation by myself!

[simer4001]

You didn't . I think you resolved the situation before it became a life long problem. Great parenting if you ask me. By the way, who won the nerf gun war?

[jingle_jangle]

I went to bed early with a splitting headache.... I feel like I need a vacation by myself!

Surely you'd take a Rick or two with you, Melissa!?!?!?!

[Scastles]

I certainly can empathize. My two year old grandson decided it would be fun to 'stand' on my case with a Martin in it. My fault for leaving it lying on the floor though. It's also a little harder to scold a grandkid, so...I passed it onto his parent.
Maybe that's where I went wrong, having three kids.

[scotty]

Whoops Mel ! im sure the kids were given a tongue lashing bid time but i have to say "I flew out of my chair in record speed" is best way to describe you feeling of total dread. Im sure we've all been there as long as there no damage done give em a cuddle tonight but be sure to tell them if it happens again youll cut their hands off!

[wj350]

Boarding school comes to mind.....

[melibreits]

I went to bed early with a splitting headache.... I feel like I need a vacation by myself!

Surely you'd take a Rick or two with you, Melissa!?!?!?!

To bed, or on vacation, PW???

Of course I'd take a couple of guitars with me--the little monsters might destroy 'em while I was away! My "desert island" Rics are my Comstock and my 330 Purpleburst... And I am currently enjoying a blissful "honeymoon" with my Breedlove 12-string.... I just can't get enough of it since I got it a couple of weeks ago!

BTW, Brian, I don't know who won the nerf war--I think I broke it up before the victory was determined.... I should dig a couple of empty guitar boxes out of the basement for them to use as shields for the next battle, LOL!

[epitreture]

I didn't hear you mention the 481 so I'm going to assume it's safe.

[ozover50]

Well handled, Melissa! I'm lucky........ I only have my son at home with me and he's 19, so he knows how precious my guitars are to me. When his mates come around it's "look but DON'T touch"!!

[JakeK]

Shame about what happened, Melissa. Not a good thing to have young ones near instruments.

My cousins love to look at my guitars. According to my dad, the youngest ones nearly knocked my Telecaster off it's stand!

[myfretless]

My boys bashed up my new Taylor 314ce a couple years back when I had just bought it new and it was only a few weeks old. My heart sank and I realized at that time, that these are just "things" and they won't last forever. So I had just better take as much pleasure as I can out of them.

That being said, I keep my Rickenbackers in my closet locked up. There's no reason to invite problems. I'm not quite ready for someone to touch or scratch my 730-12.

[johnallg]

Having met your sons, I find hard to believe they acted this way - had to be the heat of the battle.... Looks like the LONG winter and cabin fever is getting us all! Considering it all, you probably let them off easy.

I sure hope Paul meant on vacation......

[goofyfoot]

Boarding school comes to mind.....

.....on the isle of St. Helena à la Nappi.

Actually, Melibreits handled the situation well under the circumstances. The consequences of a clear, verbal warning is enough the first time. Message delivered, message appreciated I'm sure by the rapscallions. As a teacher of 10 year-old 5th-graders, I'm pretty much connected to a very long fuse. I have to be.....it's not a fair fight when it's 28 versus 1.

Peace, out.....Snapper, uuuhhhh, I mean Goofyfoot.