The first time I ever alienated someone over poo on a stick

One day, over a month ago, my son came home from school, and after dinner, we all went to go in the backyard. I noticed a smell, and there happened to be poo on the bottom of my son's shoe. I asked him if he knew it was there, and he said that he had stepped on some dog poop on the playground at school.

As an aside, people walking their dogs on school playgrounds and neglecting to clean up after them is a whole other post.

For whatever reason, he had not let the teachers know about the poop. Whatever. Five year old boys have different priorities.

Anyway, my husband overheard this conversation and it made him ask another question: "I noticed you have a little dark stain on the back of your shirt."

My son immediately chimed in that was also dog poop, that a particular friend of his had poked the dog poop with a stick, and put it on his shirt.

After throwing up a little in my mind, I asked my son to change his shirt, then we talked about the situation. Apparently the friend had done it, my son asked him not to, he stopped, and no teachers were involved.

We cleaned up the shoes, and we let him know that in the future, he should probably let the teachers know if he even sees poop on the playground, and most certainly let them know if someone is playing with it.

Well, this boy is a close friend of my son's, and we've known the family for a few years, getting the kids together outside of school, etc...

So, I felt comfortable making a very friendly call to the boy's mom, just letting her know what had happened. Because if my son were doing things with poo on a stick? I would want to know.

She was very friendly in return, and said she would talk to him about it.

I put it out of my mind.

Then two weekends ago I left a message inviting them to get together at a park...No return call. Didn't think much of it.

Then this morning I ran into the dad at school, and attempted some small talk, and got surprisingly short responses in return.

So, mark this as the first time I ever alienated someone over poo on a stick. The thing is, I would do the same thing again. I think if you're friendly with a particular set of parents, you should certainly feel comfortable discussing your concerns. And poo on a stick that touches my son's shirt? It's a concern.