Dear Neighbor,
I wanted to
apologize and address the rock throwing incident a while back. I felt that I owed you an apology and an
explanation, so here it is:
On the day of the
incident, my boys were never meant to be unattended. I took my 2 boys to the
neighbor’s house to play with her 2 boys. Together our 4 boys became bored and
asked to play at another neighbor’s house. We consented and they left. When the other neighbor had gotten dinner
ready, she sent them home. So my boys
went to my home with the other 2 boys instead of going back to where all the
parents were. This is how they came to
be unattended without my knowledge. Once
we realized that our boys were neither with us, nor at the neighbor’s house, I
went home looking for them and found them throwing rocks. I immediately scolded
them and took them inside for their consequence. I was mortified to learn that they had thrown
rocks at your house, and I heartily apologize for their behavior. I have
taught/warned/yelled/screamed/threatened them about throwing rocks many times
in the past. I have done this more times than I can count. But they are young
boys and will need to be taught/warned/yelled/screamed/threatened about their
behavior many more times in the future, I’m sure. After all, they are their father’s sons. My husband was a terror of a child, and I
have his clones to raise. He has done
countless atrocities ranging from picking and smashing his mothers extensive
vegetable garden to accidentally setting a neighbor’s fence on fire with a
bottle rocket. My mother in law is as
tireless, unwavering, faithful, firm, and strong as any mother I have ever met. And yet, despite her best efforts, some
things were just beyond her control. Even
her very best was not always enough. So
it is with all of us.
I wish I could
assure you that nothing like this will ever happen again. Unfortunately I know that my boys have
shocked and terrified me with their behavior many times, and they will continue
to do so. What I can assure you is that
I have been doing, and will continue to do, my very best. I can also assure you that if/when their
horrifyingly creative path of destruction ever affects you or your home again I
will pay for whatever damage they may cause. I will issue consequences for
their behavior, and I will make them apologize to you. I hope you can see that I am a reasonable and
respectful person, and I welcome any reasonable and respectful conversation you
may need to have with me regarding my children’s behavior in the future. Any
patience you may offer me and my children would also be greatly appreciated,
though, not required.
Sincerely your new
neighbors,
Jessica and
Joseph Whitehead
P.S. Aside from the chaotic versions of my sons that you are
acquainted with, they are very kind young boys. After you left my home, they
were very sad and concerned about two things. The first was that they had not
gotten to apologize, and the second was that you had dropped a few coins from
your pockets. They wanted to return them.
