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Sounds strange that any kid would walk into someone else's yard and pull up their flowers. If he isn't a toddler and doesn't have some type of learning disability, a kid that age just knows better.
If I had seen him walking away, I would have called him back and without getting too close to him, ask him WHY he pulled up your flowers. At that point, I would have walked him home and spoken with his parents.
If you don't want to wait until it happens again, I'd try a phone call first. Less "in your face". I'd tell his parents what you have seen and ask them for help. Try to do it in a very non threatening way. And in that same tone, I'd ask if they will consider reimbursing you for the flowers.
If you are talking about $10, I would probably skip asking for the money back.
I know it is frustrating. I have a row of bushes along my driveway that I have replaced THREE TIMES because people like to walk their dogs and allow them to pee on those bushes! I only caught one dog "in the act" and when I went outside to speak with the owner, he walked away! I have given up so I have a very empty space, along my driveway. It annoys me that I can't have those bushes in MY YARD because of other's inconsiderate actions but what else can I do? So...I understand your frustration.
Buy a couple of extra flowers, take them to his house when his parents are there, and say "Your son seems to like my flowers so much I thought I would get him some that he could plant in his own yard so he doesn't need to pick mine." That way you'll seem neighborly and get your message across.
Like this approach! If you can justify the cost, I would also take pictures/video if at all possible. Really hard to have a come back with hard evidence like that. If this boy is between 10 and 15, then he definitely knows better! Just be careful to not escalate things
Sounds familiar. Parents of such a tween once asked me if I had told the kid to stop the behavior. Uh yes as a matter of fact I did and now I am telling you. Good luck, his parents may not be much better.
I think your plan of talking to the parents is best. Please don't rely on the HOA for this (as another poster recommended). Putting it in the newsletter just makes the parents say, "Why didn't they just come to me directly? How petty!" or "Oh, they must be talking about someone else's brat, mine is an angel!" and makes the people who do the HOA's work (the manager and the volunteers) think, "Don't they know I have 9 million things to do that actually have to do with my job?" It's a lose, lose, lose all around and worst of all, will not address your problem. HOAs protect property values and run the common areas- they're not meant to solve or get in the middle of neighbor squabbles.
If he isn't a toddler and doesn't have some type of learning disability, a kid that age just knows better.
The first thing that occurred to me is that the kid does have a learning disability, especially since it sounds like he is excluded by the other kids. I would approach it from the point of view that this may be what is going on. I would talk to the parents, but make it from a tone of "I'm not sure why he would do that" rather than "don't you teach your kid right from wrong?" And as others have suggested, I would bring a few plants.
The movie "Friday" comes to mind, when that kid rode around knocking over the neighbors garbage containers for sport until finally Chris Tucker and Ice Cube grabbed him off of his bike and took a belt to his hide with some punishing lashes . Now, I am not saying that this is what you should do ... wink ....wink, but it is one of those last resort things that make you go Hmm
The movie "Friday" comes to mind, when that kid rode around knocking over the neighbors garbage containers for sport until finally Chris Tucker and Ice Cube grabbed him off of his bike and took a belt to his hide with some punishing lashes . Now, I am not saying that this is what you should do ... wink ....wink, but it is one of those last resort things that make you go Hmm
Jamerican, I'm growing worried by the amount of blood lust you're exhibiting toward young kids. beating children isn't the best way of getting them to behave.
Jamerican, I'm growing worried by the amount of blood lust you're exhibiting toward young kids. beating children isn't the best way of getting them to behave.
Good luck with the parents, OP. Hopefully you will get a more considerate and thoughtful response with your issue than what seems to have become the norm with people these days.
Is there a reason he didn't get to help you and the other neighborhod children plant the flowers?
Combine this with what CHT said...buy more flowers and invite him over to plant with you. Just him. Get an extra pot and have him plant it full for him to take home for his own porch. Give him lemonade. etc. Don't say one word about the destruction.
If I were his parent, I would want to know WHY my child was motivated to do this. (even if I denied it) and I think Rockinmomma hit the nail on the head. He may have other issues and making a friend of him might be the best thing you could ever do for him.
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. Now, I am not saying that this is what you should do ... wink ....wink, but it is one of those last resort things that make you go Hmm 
