A Henrietta mother is calling on parents to take a closer look at how children are treating each other after a troubling incident at a local game left several young girls in tears.
In a Facebook post that has since sparked widespread discussion in the Henrietta Only community group, Payton Brin described a distressing evening involving four 11-year-old girls who were reportedly pushed and verbally abused by another child during or after a school sporting event.
Brin wrote,
“Tonight, I had four 11-year-old girls in my car, absolutely distraught and in tears after the game,” “They were pushed and subjected to verbal abuse, including being called ‘crackheads’ and having their families insulted. This is absolutely inexcusable behavior.”
Payton Brin
Brin’s post expressed both frustration and concern over what she called an erosion of respect and kindness among today’s youth.
She urged parents to talk to their children about empathy and accountability, writing,
Bullying, physical intimidation, and cruel name calling have no place in our community, especially not from children this age. Parents, please talk to your children tonight about respect and kindness. Words and actions have consequences, and we must hold all our kids accountable for how they treat others.
Payton Brin
Her message resonated with many parents and community members, who joined the comment section to share similar experiences and sentiments.
Billie Jo McFarland, who added that she was shocked by the level of profanity she’s witnessed from adults at youth events, said,
Just a quick note alot of those kids are doing what they see their parents do….never dreamed I would hear so many voul words from so many women!!!!
Billie Jo McFarland
Brin agreed, responding,
Agreed! Our children are a reflection of us, and I refuse to raise my kids to be disrespectful and mean.
Payton Brin
Several commenters thanked Brin for speaking out, saying these conversations are overdue. Amanda Boyles wrote,
Thanks for sharing
Amanda Boyles
She later added that the same type of behavior has been going on for years.
I wish the parents would have enough concern to want to know it was their son but its been going on for years so Im sure its a lost cause
Amanda Boyles
Brin noted she knows tha name of the boy allegedly responsible but chose not to identify him publicly, explaining that he’s known for this type of behavior. She said,
“It seems this boy is known for this, so I’m sure his parents won’t do anything about it. But this just isn’t okay,”
Payton Brin
Not everyone agreed with keeping the boy’s name private. Wesley Wilson commented,
tell his name maybe it will do some good maybe some other boy will put him in his place and he will stop treating girls that way
Wesley Wilson
Brin pushed back gently, emphasizing that while she understands the frustration, violence is not the answer. She wrote,
My daughter has 5 brothers that would love too, however I have taught them to never use violence unless it’s for their own protection. I don’t want to put a minors name on here, but he is in 6th grade.
Payton Brin
Wilson replied, “Better to teach the young boy a lesson now before it gets worse,” highlighting the ongoing debate about accountability and discipline.
Later in the thread, Natalie Meza, another parent of a sixth grader, chimed in with a more formal suggestion:
put a stay away agreement in place. Only way something will be done! My daughter is also in 6th and I bet it’s the same boy we had trouble with last year.
Natalie Meza
Meza also revealed that the school had recently required all sixth graders to attend a presentation on bullying. She added, “sadly that didn’t seem to help.”
On the other hand, Victoria Pickett shared,
Unfortunately it is very common here. We have a little one we fight with everyday just to get her to school because of this behavior. I have spent more time at the school than I care to admit.
Victoria Pickett
As more voices joined the conversation, one thing became clear: the Henrietta community is deeply concerned about the growing lack of respect among children and the role that adults, both parents and educators, play in shaping it.
