Teenager Wants to T.P. Friends House- Allow or Deny

I think you should deny it. I am a mother of 3 and I would never let my kids tolet paper anyones house. its disrespectful.

It is fun but it's still vandalism and it's not the friend's house, it's the parent's house. I would be very upset if someone TP'd my house.

Bottom line-it is against the law & considered vandalism. Either you obey the laws as a whole or it is OK to break them. Have him find something else wild, crazy and fun that doesn't break the law. With kids (especially this age) I think that you need to be black and white.

Hi T. and all,

I am 24, so younger than most of the responders I'm sure. And I have to say, you are talking about destruction of property and trespassing! If I were to find my house/car/yard had been "hit" by anyone - charges would be pressed. No question about it. I assure you, I do have a sense of humor but if my children, who are still quite young resort to destruction and trespassing for fun, I will see to it myself that they are punished to the full extent - no matter what the homeowners think. One poster pointed out that these kids could be out drinking and having sex instead. So is that what parenting has come to? We have to forget having good kids, because as long as they aren't the worst kids, we don't want to rock the boat? Well, maybe that works elsewhere - but not in my house. The rules are what they are, I won't be emotionally blackmailed by my child with a "I could be worse".

FORKING!!! Never funny. All it takes is one fork left in a yard and a mower to hit it and cause this to strike an eye or face and no more laughing.

TP-why? So that you can teach that doing something wrong is funny. Have you seen it hanging in trees for years? Gee really funny. I did it as a kid and my parents made us clean up, took the fun right out of it!

My experience with parents who drive their kids for this is they often are the same ones who have the drinking parties at their homes later saying-at least they drank at my home and not out somewhere else. My answer is why teach it is ok to do something that is wrong?

Set standards, beleive in them! Sometimes we had to be the boring parents but we were willing to live with that.

Yep, they might still do it but at least you did not teach them it was the right and fun thing to do.

D.

The mom of 2 Marines and 1 Officer in the making!

T.- I did not have time to read the other responses but, like so many things in life, our first gut response is often the correct one. T.!!!! Wake up. You are the parent here...not a buddy or a chum. Be a parent. Toilet papering a friend's house can have innocent intentions BUT it is still considered trespassing and destruction of property IF the parents choose to make a big deal over it.

We all hate to say NO to our kids but I would find another creative way for your son to express his feelings.

Listen to you husband.....PLEASE.

D.

im sorry but are you all stupid?? this is vandalism. and have you ever had to clean it up? not an easy task do the right thing tell him now for goodness sake

134 responses!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!! I think its a record, I am just adding this so you have an even 135! LOL :o)
All this time, who knew it would take a toilet paper question to get everyones attention!! ROFLMAO!!!! You mommas are priceless, way to hang in there for each other, and for ya'll who really gave poor T. a lashing for her innocent question...yeah, way to be supportive and uplifting (yes that was sarcasm) SOOOO<<<<<<<<<<<<<
*T., honey, you go have fun with the kids and make all the memories you can get your hands on...when life is done its what we have left! And I mean that! life is sooooooo short!

I disagree with the comment about if someone's house is TP'd it means they have friends or a crush, etc. When I was a kid, the kids who got their houses TP'd were the loner dorky types that nobody liked, and the ones doing the TP-ing were the popular ones. So it was definately a blow to a kid's self-esteem to be singled out as the kid nobody likes, and worse, having to explain to their stunned and heartbroken parents why they got TP'd. Secondly, some say it is good clean fun but it really isn't "clean". Many people take pride in their home and yard and work very hard to keep it nice, and it isn't fun to wake up to such a mess - especially if it has rained on the TP. It is vandalism and tresspassing and I don't believe a parent should condone it. That is my opinion. It also sends the message to your kid that it is okay to not respect other people's property.

Wow, to all of you who say "it's good clean fun", I think the only response I have is, "maybe, but not everyone feels that way." To the ones who don't feel that way, it's perceived as hard work, humiliating, disrespectful, mean. I've seen it up in the trees out of reach where it can't be cleaned up. Just looks ugly and tacky.

So, if you think it's good clean fun, I have 2 suggestions:
1) Let the kids tp your house. Then they can have that enjoyment without stepping on anyone else's toes.
2) Check w/ the parents of the kid to make sure it's ok with them. It can still be a surprise to the kid. And have them help in the clean up once it's done.

Some neighborhood kids scattered dried corn kernels on our lawn once on "mischief night" (day before Halloween). Good clean fun until the lawnmower picks one up and shoots it through someone's car/house window or at a person.

I've seen a lot of parents let kids do things that could get them hurt because it's "fun" and "they're just kids" -- in one case, they weren't monitoring their kids on an inflatable bouncer, a few got hurt because others didn't wait their turn before going down and crashed into them. Others were climbing over the exit wall to get back into the bouncer instead of going through the exit and walking around that part and one fell between the two inflated parts and was knocked unconscious for a few minutes. All in the space of a few hours.

Yes, let's let our kids be kids, but there are lots of ways to have lots of fun safely and without being disrespectful to others or breaking the law. It's our job as parents to guide our children in the right directions.

And I agree with the other parents, it speaks very highly of your parenting that your child checked w/ you first before going ahead and doing it.

Just my 2 cents.

Incredible amount of responses I must say! Here's my two cents: It's a shame TPing has become a felony, however I can understand to some extent why. I am a laid back person, so I would never press charges if it was done to me in fun (it has once) but not everyone is understanding and laid back. I guess alot depends on the motive for why the person did it in the first place too though. Anyway, I want to say I think that is awesome your son would come to you and ask about it first. Says alot about your relationship with him. I would explain to him the possible consequences about doing it, and ask his thoughts on it. If this is a good friend he is wanting to TP, I would check with the parents and if you know the family well enough and they are of the same beliefs on the subject, then no worries. I enjoyed reading all the responses and being "enlightened" on the subject. Fact is, we live in a different world then most of us did growing up. When the world changes, so does the way we think.

How about buying cheap mugs at Goodwill, putting them on the sidewalk leading up to the house, and leaving a note saying that they've been mugged, or putting salt packets, and saying they've been a"salt"ed, or plastic eggs on the lawn, "You've been egged"...

I am at a lost here, excuse me for my ignorance. I moved here from Florida, however, have lived in South Carolina, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and grew up in Michigan and I must say I have never in my life heard of Toilet Papering peoples house until I moved here last year. I have seen it and was mortifed and felt bad for the people. Now that I have read only some of the responses I understand that it is not done in hatred like I thought, but in fun. I would not want to clean that up and I would not want my kids to do this to your house even if it were in fun. Isn't there something else these kids could do that would have the same effect? Is this a Colorado thing or a Western US thing? I was just wondering. I am sure you will make the best choice for your son T. based on what you feel is right. Have a great weekend:)

Wow. I am so disgusted reading these posts. No wonder teenagers today have no respect for other people and their property. Their parents don't either. This whole thread makes me angry and sad. There are so many other fun things to do that don't involve trespassing, damaging property, leaving trash and littering. I'm of the strong opinion that anyone who encourages their kids to do these stupid things deserves a felony charge right along with their kids. Is it really worth the risk of getting a felony on their record?

Good job to everyone who would NOT encourage their kids to be vandals.

ok, T., I know you have had a ton of responses, obviously we all feel strongly about this! It's because we all have that experience! So, I think that is the point! Don't take that experience away from your son! When my girls were young, (they are now 16 & 24- & we still TP sometimes) I went with them! We had so much fun! I would get in the back of the van & hide while watching them, & throw TP out to them across the yard.
The deal was, if, for any reason the family was upset about it, they had to go to the home, confess & clean up!
Some parents are great about it & some are not! It's ok either way & the kids don't blame the "stick in the mud" parents if they do get upset. They just know they will have to go clean up!
And, This is the big one! We NEVER TP someone because we don't like them! We only TP as an act of love! In our neighborhood, it's an honor. If you don't get TPed you're not cool!
Go with him! it's a blast!
T.

I just wanted to say I think you're a great parent. Obviously you are raising your son well enough that he feels comfortable asking your opinion. Congratulations!

I can't wait until the day the Police bring home one of the children from some of the meaner commentators because their kids are surely not going to ask before they sneak out and do something like this. Gee, to be a fly on the wall...how fun.

Yes, I'm being snotty, I know. I'm quite strict with my children and I don't see myself as their friend. However, to be asked first means that my kid(s) respect my opinions and are learning well. Her child is going to help clean up. Not everyone has large trees in their yards, so all the negative Nelly's need to think before going off on a tangent (and yes, I've cleaned up a TP job before, with the help of the offenders ~ who were very polite and respectable kids).

Have a great day!

Totally against T.P. But,,, what amazes me is all the people that did not give quick straight answers, I mean come on why would some of you go into 20 paragraphs on the subject of T.ping??? T., tell your kids NO this is not good behavior.

When I was growing up it was BAD to get TP'd. Then in college I realized it must depend on your neighborhood. And now, I live in OC, and if your house gets TP'd you are "cool". So, it is a sign of endearment. I'd stick to JUST TP, and have your son buy it. It isn't cheap. Call you local PD and ask if it's a crime, call the parents 1st, basically, if you plan on doing it, CYA. I am not a big fan of parents helping their kids in crime, but, it is toilet paper people!

I can't believe how many mean responses this poor girl got to a simple question.
She came on here to ask for opinions and suggestions, but she got tongue lashing after tongue lashing instead.

My goodness, with so many bad attitudes, it's a wonder anyone is brave enough to post questions or answers at all any more.

Lighten up people ! Strong opinions are fine, but can we not say them in a kind manner ?

The subject is a light-hearted one, and the question was asked innocently and in good faith. I don't think she deserved the punishment some of you dished out.

T. ...... yes, it is illegal in most places, so if he gets caught he could be in trouble. And yes obviously there are some very unhappy people out there who don't see the humor or appreciate the fact that the kid is doing something as harmless as TPing instead of destroying property, stealing cars or running in gangs. (Who would have dreamed there are so many unhappy grown-ups out there ?)

I remember getting TPed as a kid, and again when my kids were teens. I remember the laughter and the realization that the other kids liked you (that's why you do it) and it was worth the TP in the tree tops for a few weeks.

That having been said, I couldn't in good conscience recommend that you give your son permission to do something that could get him arrested or cause hard feelings (my goodness.... the world certainly has changed).

I do, however, like your idea of asking the parents of the kid he wants to TP how they feel about it.

I have one other suggestion. This will take him some time and he will have to earn a little money, so he will have time to think about if he really wants to do it.

I have seen people get "flamingoed". You collect dozens of those plastic pink flamingos and fill a person's yard with them over night. They awake to a pink "flock" in the morning ! Totally harmless, totally funny, and takes only a few minutes to pull them out of the ground.

Of course, be sure the person he does it to has a sense of humor. There are many humorless people out there who can find something wrong with anything a teen does.

I am a retired El.Ed teacher & a mother of 3,..so I have asked others on this topic ,their opinions ,before responding ,here!Esp. after all the pros & cons,from others & many thinking this is good clean fun!Frankly,I have been told that in ,2009 it is considered "mean spirited & rude"to TP someones house!Period! :(
No ,..it is not "good clean /harmless fun," .like it was considered to be ,.. back when I was a teen &for the girls on my cheerleader squad,. also considered a way of saying HI there Cute football Jock."we like U & YOU are the popular one .& this is your badge of honor,from us all ,today !Instead, in 2009 ,.When a house is TPed, it is meant to be a "slam" to your child's character & to yours,or even worse! Plus how NON fun for the one who gets stuck cleaning it up,,esp. if they now know, that someone dislikes them or their kids !What parent would approve of their children doing this to others,if they knew this to be the real facts?!

EX: A while back, some boys,.TPed our home in the late night or early morning!,I learned later that they viewed our Special needs child as a misfit & an outcast,& themselves as being cool, & did it to be cruel,as I had asked one of them kindly ,one day,..to quit picking on our son & calling him the R word. because it was hurtful!!So they retaliated!To some being Smug, & superior,.. feels good?! That weekend,. I had sprained foot (don't ask how that happened),but,. I decided to stay home & ice it ,. while my husband & all 3 of our children ,were out of town on an well planned 3 day camping trip!I also stayed behind to care for our dog ,who was old & on his last leg,too!NO Pun intended! I did not want my family to return to this Paper mess after a fun trip,. .. so I tried my best to get it all cleaned up Quickly & quietly ,. very early that Sunday morning !I hoped to have it all taken down well before others could awake & see this mess & so on !Did I mention it was Father's day ?! The TP ,that I could reach ,was all over our yard, & clumps of quite mushy,from the sprinklers ! I bent a lot ..with Arthritis ,as it took me & the minister/neighbor (who lives across the street & who was also UP very early & looking for his Sunday paper,)but upon seeing me hobbling around with a stick to reach wet TP ,soo felt sorry for what had occurred & helped too! From 5 am til 7 we worked on it all!WEW also worked for another hour later on that day He & I filled a large garbage can full of wet toilet paper!What a waste of $$$ ,as I think they used a whole large container of TP ,from Costco,that night !Plus,.We have very tall palm trees,,..so some of the TP stayed there as a reminder & for all to observe for over a week later .Did I mention how in their throwing large wet wads of TP h***, o* the roof here & there,they also broke a corner tile as well?? To add injury to the insult,.I got a nasty warning letter from the HOA for still having the TP in my palm trees,the following week! Incidentally,.It turned out,that it was the HOA board members , Rowdy /name calling 14 year old "son," & a few others from his middle school ,who had been in trouble ,with other neighbors ,.. for egging cars & putting cherry bombs in mailboxes ,.. who did the TPing to our home,that night!) HMM!Not all of it is ,..Good clean fun, IMHO?

If your son & his pals,.(who sound like decent but bored kids & Kudos for him asking U first). have friends they want to "surprise" in the night ....they can to do what is called a "love drop," instead ! It is a positive "Surprise nighttime visit, and a gesture of kindness,not a trip for mess & destruction & so on ! Let them 1st make up a colorful sign out of butcher paper or from an old sheet,.. sahying "Have a nice day,.. or Good Morning to U,!" Happy day CHEER SIGNs ..can be effective. YOU could HELP THEM TO drop IT off in the night,to someone of your choice!YOU can carefully help them tape it to a garage , or near the front door " & then tie some "happy face" balloons on ribbons to some lower bushes.This happened ot me & it made me smile! BETTER YET,.. U could help them to "bake & decorate SOME sugar COOKIES "& leave THEM IN A "decorated" plastic lidded closed container near the front door step,... then ring the bell & run away! Does it feel good to be "rude," or to be kind to others? Take your pick! Being sneaky in a "good "way & not letting the other person know U are the one that did something GOOD for a change,& can also be fun for the other kids to hear about. JMO!What do you want to teach your children?Is it about being kind towards others & having good values,or just being able to TP a house? Paying it forward & doing something nice for a stranger & with good intentions, can also make U feel Excited esp. if the other guy has no idea that U did a random act of kindness.Doing it for a grump..feels even better!!I too enjoy making good "memories with & for my kids "some that last a lifetime! YOU sound like a good MOM,cuz U asked us!:) Think on that, & ask your kids if they think that would be a new twist on an old trick?!OK? Good Luck,& Thanks for reading this old gals, 2 cents !!Prob. that & a box Choc. doughnuts & a pitcher of coffee would make your day a better one,than & U your pals cleaning up wet TP ,after the fact.. !;)

Yikes, I hope when my daughter is older, and chooses to participate in good clean fun, she doesn't run into a bunch of grumps like you have. It's toilet papering......Come on moms, what is happening to REAL playing ??
Good Luck and Happy Summer
R.

It sounds like it depends where you live as to whether tp'ing is cooling or not. WhenI was growing up, it was not a good thing to be tp'd. My daughter thought it was cool, when a neighbor got tp'd, until she saw how difficult it was to clean up. And it isn't just rain that causes probs. Remember in the summer, there is also dew that falls, making everything wet.
Go with your gut. Fortunately I never had to deal with this with my kids. ONce my oldest found out how difficult it is to clean up, she never desired doing it.
R.

While I am an all in good fun, bravo for having raised a son who asked permission, I wanted to share this. A wonderful young teen that I used to coach was charged with felony traspass ( I think it was felony) because she was with a group who tpes a house in Cobb county. She was on the process of college applications and because of all the lawyers and court, etc. It really made things hard for her and her family. It also may have kept her out of her 1st choice school...good luck some people have no sense of humor...

Deny!!

A house in a nearby neighbor was recently TP'd and honestly, it's just plain wrong. It would be very difficult to get up in each of the very tall trees and get the TP out. And... not ONLY are you vandalizing a home, you are making the neighbors deal with TP pieces for a very long time. How would you feel if your house got TP'd?

T. - I'm response 87, you'll probably get a few more yet as this seems to have sparked a lot of different opinions.

Be careful about other options. Being "forked" is a real problem. When taking them out of the ground they can break and you're stuck with little plastic sharp pieces left in the lawn. Not fun!

I agree with the many of the responders. Your son is wonderful that he asked permission. Most don't! They just sneak out of the house waaay after dark, after curfew, etc and hit someone's house. You may never know it. My son is now 16 and he has been on many TP adventures. He tells me everytime he does it. The rules are you get caught you pay the fine and you do the clean up.

I was actually excited when our house got hit. But, they did more destructive things than just TP. They put silly string on the car and tipped over flower pots and wrote on the driveway with something not chalk that can't be washed off. The TP, however, is fun. My son cleaned up what he could and as it continues to fall from the trees he's responsible for cleaning it up.

Childhood today is so short. Our kids take on responsibilities that we rarely had until later in life. They are required to do so many things. I see this as a right of passage. Many kids at 14-15-16 are out drinking, having sex, doing drugs. TP is clean fun.

Having said all that, in our neighborhood you can get arrested and pay a fine. It depends on the home owner.

Good luck

I am shocked at the number of people who would not only consider TPing ok, but would help their kids and see it as some sort of positive childhood event. I guess it all boils down to the individual cultures we grew up in. In my childhood neighborhood,TPing was something mean that happened to the nerds, and it was a huge, humiliating sign that marked the poor kid's house for months. Regardless, it is a destructive way to "have fun" - can't people help their kids think of something a little more creative and less destructive? Like many posters said, you are not supposed to be your kids' buddy - you are their PARENT - help them learn how to make responsible, thoughtful choices!

In the end, if you support this ridiculous idea, I suggest you and your son practice on your own house first, and see if it is really as much fun as you both seem to think it would be.

What a bunch of grumps on this site. TPing is very common in our town among friends. Personally I will be disappointed if our house ISN'T TPed a couple times while my girls are teens. A TPed house is a sign that you have friends, or a crush, and that the teen years are FUN!

Innocent version: CHALKING, the elementary and middle school kids have been doing this. I take my daughters and their friends some times. We all dress in black, park the car down the street, tip-toe up to the sidewalk & driveway, and write messages as fast as we can. My rule - all have to be positive, but we do tease about rival sports teams or whatever. "You rock" "Love Ya" "*** school is awesome!" "The Tigers rock!" "Guess Who?" They we run like crazy and hit the next house. If the parents turn out to be the anal kind - it can be sprayed off with a hose. But most love it (and usually get us back within the week).

Well, all I can say is that some local town a**hole got TP'd and must have absolutely had a fit, and so now every state decided to pass a law to make it an offense. TP is NOT destroying property, Helloo......why else would we wipe our butts with it and flush it??
The forking idea is/can be dangerous. I personally like the Flamingo idea. But then again, not everyone has the same sense of humor.
I agree with most of the posters, about asking the the adult of the other family(s) and make sure they are OK with it. I don't agree with the slams you have gotten because you sat down and talked it over with your son. No use telling people that you communicate with your children about the bad choices you may have made in your childhood. I give Kudos to you to be able to actually communicate with your son. It is difficult enough for us as parents to "talk" with our kids without getting an attitude in return, SHAME on you other moms who blasted T. for having a discussion with her son, not enough parents can sit down and talk with their kids about right & wrong

What!?!!
Are you going to clean it up the next day?? It is sad that children have to act this way. Destroying, yes, destroying other peoples property. I'm sure they work hard to keep their yard clean and tidy and now YOU are going to allow you child to be destructive?? waht next?? This is not a good example for Respecting other peoples property. what ever happened to "do unto others"?? So, if you were to get tp'd, you would just wake up in the morning and smile and say O, we just got toilet papered?? who will have to clean it??? who is not to say that when you leave, someone won't come back and "finish" it off like, watering it down with the water hose or shaving cream etc.. Be a parent and not a "friend" show them responsibility.

So many responses but I just had to add. Of my top childhood memories, TPing is definitely up there.
As a parent myself now, we are really big on letting our son make his own choices - but helping to make sure he has all the information first. Yes, it's breaking the law and there are consequences. So knowing the consequences and possible outcomes, is it still something he wants to do? Yeah, probably. :)
And again, more kudos to you for the fact that he thinks enough of you to ask first.

This may be "fun" to the person doing it but it is vandalism in the eyes of the friend's parents who have to clean it up. I would vote "no" and tell him why, then give him some reward for his honesty. If it rains before the parents get to remove it all, it is a disgusting mess to have to clean.

Good luck!

M.

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I did not have time to read all the responses, but I don't care if somebody gets "permission" to vandalyze my home, I would NOT be happy and there would be negative repercussions for somebody doing that to my home and I don't care one bit if it happens to be my child's best friend who is doing it. That certainly is "noble" of your son to ask for your permission but as a parent, you must set an example and allowing him to do this would be wrong. I realize this post occured a few months ago but after reading a few comments, I just had to add my opinion. For the pumpkin idea, I think that is terribly inconsiderate. To block ones drive way so they cannot leave their home...what happens if the person had an emergency? How would you feel if you had an emergency and had to remove dozens of pumpkins just to get your car out. I don't know...it makes me wonder what kind of values are being set.

In 1989 - it was vandalism. In 2009 - it still is vandalism.

I don't even have teenagers. Heck, my kids (ages 7 & 5) are homeschooled, so it's not their buddies doing it. Yet I've had to deal with the mess of "pranks." Thanks to "charming kids doing harmless pranks" I had to pick up toilet paper and scrub egg off of my house the day I returned home from my grandmother's funeral. It made a horrible day even worse to realize that while I was mourning the loss of one of the most important people in my life, someone else thought it would be fun to vandalize my property.

Most of the time I just read what people say on here and move along, I have never posted anything or got involved very much until I read this post and all the delightful comments. JESUUS!!! Tp is not the worse thing a kid can do. KUDOS to you T. for having a RELATIONSHIP that allows you to TALK to your son rather than all the other ladies here who obviously believe that being a parent is nothing more than being a rule setter. When you block kids from all these things that really are a right of passage it makes the kid wonder what they are missing out on and when you do that it will drive them to do that. Which can only lead to bigger problems; i can say that because *I* was that kid. If a person wants to call the cops over some TP that is just silly and they should really took a look in the mirror and examine what kind of person they are. Your kid is going to learn to make their own decisions soon and one night when he has a sleep over at someone elses house he may get the chance to go out and Tp with them and never tell you! A kid is suppose to be a kid, in my opinion, he is willing to let you in- I say take it. the only choice is up to you, whatever you FEEL IS RIGHT. I am more disapointed in all the other comments on this page. Shame on most of you!

HI! I have read most of your responses and I haven't heard anything about TPing football players houses. I'm originally from NE Ohio and my sister was a cheerleader and I remember driving all the cheerleaders around to the starting football players houses in my Dad's truck (with a cap). It was a blast!! It was done as recognition for the players and in fun :) I know there are people out there with no sense of humer, but come on, as long as there is no destruction of property, we are talking old-fashioned FUN!!! I am 43, so this fun is from the early 1980's...I have 3 kids, 11,8 and 6. Good luck! Debbie

Oh lord, you were featured on the "Daily Digest" for your follow-up comment. Get ready for another 75 replies at least. Serves you right for bringing up an inflammatory subject like toilet paper! ;-)

Just heard an idea that is not so messy - yet could be really fun and cheap!!! Post it notes covering the windows of the car - they will stick til morning but won't leave a sticky residue when pulled off - they're post its. Also, clean up is more manageable, no tp too high in the trees that comes down slowly over a matter of weeks.

I also liked the sidewalk chalk idea mentioned by someone also - doesn't seem as mean, just good clean fun.

our youth group does it to people we like.. and I was honored to get T'p'd and saran wrapped.But only do it to good fun church people you know and they in turn Will get ya back . But definetly no eggs,mustard or anything .But my kids Love reading the sidewalk chalk messages and it comes right off .

No... you are the parent and are supposed to teach them good manners. It is considered an insult in many places.

Tell him thank you for being honest, lets find a better alternative. Pumpkin stacking sounds good.

I know the request was from May, but lucky you that Mamasource posted it at the top of the digest in August!

I just wanted to add that it's not only the house that gets T.P.'d but also the neighbors.

I am *so* tired of having to clean up wet toilet paper from my yard because someone keeps T.P.ing my neighbor's trees. It blows into my trees and yard, and I don't have the time or energy to be out cleaning it up every few months.

I have a chronically ill child and spend so much of my time going to doctor appointments and caring for her when she's sick. Between that and keeping up with work to pay the bills, I don't appreciate having to spend any free time that I do have cleaning up such an unnecessary mess. The family that keeps getting TP'd just leaves it there so my clean up lasts several days or weeks depending on how long it takes to fall out of their trees.

So... please just keep in mind that by doing this, you're impacting more than just the home that gets toilet papered.

This also is AFTER the original post, but had to add my thoughts. Hope you are reading all the new posts.

TP'ing is vandalism in our area. The cops will arrest all involved and the parents get the fines. Also in some neighborhoods, the Home Owner's Associations can levy a fine against the house that got TP'd. It is EXTREMELY hard to get tp out of a tree. Dew at night causes it to stick. It looks trashy. There is also (sadly) the chance a child could be shot by a homeowner.

Better things to do would be chalk (concrete ONLY), postit notes, silly string, plastic eggs, canned goods that later can be donated to a foodbank, slices of bread, etc. Items that can be swished off with a hose, or picked up or raked by hand. Do NOT put objects like forks or anything small and hard in the grass. The lawnmower will throw it out.

I greatly admire your son for asking first. That shows a high level of maturity and respect. In that same vein, he should also realize the amount of work involved to remove the tp. And the fact it's trespassing.

Encourage him to do something a little less time-consuming (cleanup-wise). Nothing says that kids aren't allowed to have fun nowadays, they just need to be sensible about it.

I'm saw your post on the Daily Digest and just had to respond!
Some of my fondest memories of being a young teen were when my girlfriends and I would go out and TP the boys' houses in our group of friends. I'm sure that the parents knew what was going on, but we of course didn't know that at the time.

And we were GOOD kids, the smart kids who all went off to college... I think our parents were all glad that we were out having good, clean fun when lots of other kids were out drinking, doing drugs, stealing cars, breaking into old houses and basically getting into lots of trouble!

I have two children, and if TPing is the worst thing that they ever do, then I'll consider myself very lucky!

COME ON, PEOPLE. LIGHTEN UP!

WOW - much easier question when I was a teenager in rural Ohio. I was a majorette - our house got hit about a dozen times throughout my HS years. It was an honor to have all that pretty TP streaming in the yard in the morning. I think the worst one was 104 cardboard rolls we picked up when I was a senior. Those were fun days. But obviously life or where I live has changed - Feloney? Fines? Litigation? Trespassing? There are much worse things for kids to do. Like another poster said - if this is the worst a kid wants to do then consider yourself lucky. Lighten up Ladies. This is a harmless right of passage and it's easily cleaned up. Or here's an idea - one of the pranks I pulled to get back at the group of TP-ers. Halloween when the pumpkin lot closed - we bought out the pumpkins and filled a truck for $20. Took them to the ringleaders house after midnight and stacked them solid all the way down his driveway from the garage. It was great - it took him so long to move the pumpkins to get his car out - that he was late to school !!! THAT's creativity!

I know this is past now, but I wanted to make one comment after reading the responses. I find it interesting that so many parents are against it because it's vandalism and against the law, saying you should make a stand for your kids. I wonder how many of those parents drive over the speed limit or don't fully stop at stop signs or run red lights because they hope they can make it through a yellow or don't wear a seatbelt (in WA and OR that's required by law). Just a thought.

If it's the teens making the mess, the teens should clean it up, not the parents. Do you clean his room for him? Hopefully not. Calling the parents prior to for permission is just a show of respect and should always be done. We would TP a friend's home, then go the next morning with donuts and coffee for the parents while they watched us clean it up.

I know you have tons of replies but I had to share this. Several in our neighborhood had Japanese Foreign Exchange students one summer. We were trying to come up with things that teens do in America and Tp'ing was one of them. The students had never heard of this before and absolutely had a great time doing it to another neighbors! Of course, they were not aware I had already set it up with the neighbor for safety's sake! (and yes, the neighbor felt privileged to be the one chosen!) So, if there is tp'ing in Japan now - we know why! ;-)

WE as adults teepee our friends houses. We have a "GOTCHA" sign that 'travels'. All we do is toilet paper. DO NOT use forks, they break, and then when the kids are playing football or whatever, you're talking possible stitches. We have fun, not getting caught, not doing it very often, but over the past 30 years, the sign has hit the yards about 15 times. It is against the law to do this, but if you keep it fun and harmless, you shouldn't have a problem.

Wow! I never dreamed adults would have such strong opinions about toilet paper! I read only about 20 some responses so if I repeat something I apologize.
I say it is good clean fun as long as the family is aware in advance and agrees to making their child and your child clean it up the next day.
We used to do it secretly when I was a kid, however, now that the world is so fearful and trigger happy (guns) or so quick to assume intruders and call 911, I'd plan the event in advance with the parents so your child does not accidentally become a victim of a neighbor who decides to press charges (I never heard that toilet papering a house was vandalism since it is easy to clean up unless it is wet).
Also, pick an evening where rain is not a possibility.

By all means, let him have some innocent fun. Life is too short! Your son is clearly a good kid who has no intention of committing a crime so take the precautions just to be safe (check with the parents, notify the parents of the date (not the kid so that he/she will be surprised the next day), arrange a clean up time, and let him do it).
Best of luck!
K.

Let him have fun . How many of us want our teen years Back or wanted so badly to fit in or even were kinda sad that our house wasnt t'peed. In this day and age is tee,peeing or forking someones house such a crime with all thats going on in our world. Honestly its not the kids that are tee,peeing you have to worry about now or 20-30 years ago. Lighten up is a little clean up that big of a deal esppecially if the kids are going to warn the parents and clean it up.This happens alot with the sports teams and Cheerleading . I do like the forking idea,salt and mugging very cute... Let them have some good old fashioned clean fun and stop being fuddy duddys. I say go for it as long as its supervised and make some memories

I will never forget my 12th birthday party (I'm 26 now) where my mom took me and my friend TPing for the first time. We got caught by our close friends and we were TPed back by morning. It was just good clean fun. I would only TP very close friends and maybe even let them know in advance and have your son clean up in the AM. I'd hate to think that 10 years ago so much has changed that we can't let our kids TP now. But do what you think is best!

I have never understood why this would be ok (with permission or not).
You are making a HUGE mess, in not just the yard you are TPing - but also the next 5 or 6 houses over, trash in the street, stuff stuck on trees.
Surely there are other ways to tell someone that you like or do not like them, this just seems like either a very ODD way to tell someone that you like them,or on the other hand a very cowardly way to tell someone you don't.

T.!

I'd like to give you an alternative. I also beleive TP is vandalism and encouraging it sends the wrong message. The people who get vandalized have a bitter heart. But here are some other very fun ideas that we have used where the recipient will not have a bitter heart. Your son can have a good feeling in his heart to do these things:

Crepe paper streamers and balloons, even home written signs. We hang crepe paper streamers in front of the doorway of the porch so they have to walk through it to get out. My freind being "tissued" hated Austin Powers, so we found a little plastic doll of him at the goodwill. We taped him to a sign that had his sayings " shagged me rotten baby" groovy baby- yeah" "how dare you pass gas before me" and more. The fun of this was just being stealth about it in the middle of the night. Of course we never put the streamers where it would be difficult to get down. That would just be mean spirited, and you want to keep this respectful with your friends.

The dollar store has paint pens that can be used to write on car windows - not the paint. Keep the sayings funny.

Plastic Pink flamingoes. What a kick it was to wake one morning to a lawn full of plastic flamingoes!We ran around the house so excited, wondering who thought we were special enough to play this fun prank on us. We found a flyer on the porch- it was a fundraiser for our church. The youth would be back the following night to remove the flamingoes, and for a donation to the youth group, would flamingo the next person of our choice! What fun. Im sure your kids could do this and ask for donations for something that would benifit the community, or skip the donations and just leave a note that the flamingoes will 'fly off' tommorrow night.

Encourage your child to be creative , rather than vengeful.

I like that he asked your permission but that does put you into the middle of it and I do not know the laws now but your husband is right you would be giving him permission to commit vandalism. It is one of my most favorable memories as a teen, however, if it rains the clean up is not so easy and could make a parent very angry. It would depend on who it is that he wants to do this to. If they are good friends and you don't think there would be any reprecussions from the kids parents, I would say O.K. and be ready for my house to get tee peed back. I don't think it's that simple any more though and I think he might risk getting a fine or arrested for vandalism. I don't know where you live but I would call the local police station and ask what the charges would be, you don't need to say it's your child or that he's asked permission. The word vandalism, no matter how innocent, would stay on his record for years and might actually interfere with him going to college or getting a job and the fact that you gave him permission wouldn't go over well at all. Best of Luck, I would also be really torn but probably have to say no because with the grafitti problem and now on TV it's become really comical about someone leaving dog poop in a bag and catching it on fire. We didn't do those other things and I don't think our parents had to worry about tee peeing leading to other acts of vandalism.

T.,
I agree that it seems harmless, however I have a girlfriend who has a 14 yr. old daughter. A good girl, good grades, sports, never in trouble, etc... She had her friends from her basketball team spend the night and they went down and toilet papered a classmates yard and put shaving cream on their car with toilet paper. The Father of the classmate caught them, called the police, insisted on pressing charges and her daughter had to go to court and has to do 60 hours of community service. Though it seems harmless, all it takes is one person without a sense of humor to turn a prank into quite the ordeal.

Hi T.,

I don't think you should let your son do it. About 2 months ago, My home and car were TP'd and silly-stringed by some kids (who I didn't know and who were not friends) when my husband was out of town. Needless to say, I was highly annoyed, and had to spend a hot afternoon cleaning up TP and silly string while my 1yr old son sat in a stroller on the porch. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to get toilet paper out of high trees? LOL I am currently 6 months pregnant, so I was more annoyed than usual at having to clean up yet another mess while caring for a toddler and dealing with morning sickness. I think it's a form of vandalism, if not harrassment. I don't think you should let your son do it. Tell him to find another way to play a joke on his friend, because nine times out of ten, the friend is not the one who will be cleaning up the mess. Just my opinion....

I cannot even believe some of y'all are saying it's okay. "Just" TP?! It's not innocent fun, it's being a jerk. Why should I have to clean up someone else's mess? Like I or my husband want to go climb a tree & pull toilet paper down & waste our trashbags throwing it away. No thank you.

I would say no for all the same reasons all the others have said no. I even asked my husband what he thought (I was positive he would have said it was no big deal) but surprisingly, he said no way would he want one of our three to do it, either. Like some have said, maybe there are people out there that would take it all in fun but I know we aren't those kind of people - guess we're way too serious for our own good :-)
Bottom line, sounds like there are too many cons especially the one concerning it being unlawful. If you let your kid slide on this law, how can you enforce others like curfew, or underage drinking or smoking? Looks like you'd be a wise mama if you helped him find another way to excercise his need to be a joker :-)

Hmm, I guess I wasn't as bad a tween / teen as I thought I was because I never went out TPing any neighborhood homes, and neither did any of my friends. I grew up in the Northeast and having just moved to TX 2.5 years ago, I guess I'm still learning differences between North and South.

In any event, I do know that TPing is considered vandalism in TX. I also know that "your home is your castle" and a property owner can fire away at a suspected burglar roaming around on their property at night.

That being said, I would say no to your son's TP request. Yes, praise him for his honesty but also explain to him that this IS vandalism and in the eyes of the homeowner, it's not necessarily "good, clean fun."

We had a few SUVs in our neighborhood damaged with BB guns because I'm certain some teenagers thought of this as "good, clean fun." But they weren't the ones responsible for paying for the damage now, were they? I also remember in our neighborhood cemetery a few teenagers thought it would be fun to go around and knock down headstones. Again, they weren't they ones responsible for paying for the damage, were they? But I'm sure they thought it was all innocent at the time.

Where do you draw the line as a parent and make sure your child knows responsibility? I agree with the poster who said something along the lines of 'will you allow your child to spray paint on someone's property in the name of art? It's still vandalism.' If your son came to you and told you he was DYING to go and spray paint on his friend's driveway because all his other buddies were going to do it, would you let him?

Big kudos to your son for his honesty. If this were my child, I'd have to say no.

Here's my question, would you want to wake up tomarrow morning and have to clean all that up out of your yard? Or better yet, are you willing to go to this friends home and help his parents clean the toilet paper out of their yard. I can tell you, that if one of my kids friends, good or not came and tp'd our yard, I would not be too happy about cleaning it up. As far as I'm concerned, it is vandalism, and it's disrespectful, yes it's fun for the kids, but I seriously doubt the kids are gonna have to clean up the mess. Surely there is someting else these kids can do to fill their time. Just my opinion.

I know you've already responded, but I had to add my 2 cents. Of course I went TPing as a kid, it was fun, and we did it to our friends, and they did it to us, and we all had our chances to clean it up. Harmless fun.
I've heard of much worse, like egging houses... but my cousins do 1 that I think is funny, and I doubt you could get in trouble for. They buy up all of the extra boxes of candy canes after Christmas for 10 cents a box or so. They have probably 100 or more boxes. Then throughout the year if they want to "TP" someone's house, they candy cane it by hanging candy canes all over, and sticking them in the yard. Fully harmless, and easy to clean up since they can only hang them as high as they can reach.
I know it won't help for right now, but in the near future..
Best of luck, and I think it's great that you and your son have that trusting of a relationship.

no it's vandalism, not harmless fun. even if you call the party who will be the target and offer to clean up, it doesn't make it right. neither is forking a yard right either. so if they do it, they will have to do it away from you and pay the consequences if caught. i'm by no means a stick in the mud, but nor will i raise juvenile deliquints.

I would not allow him to do this as it is vandalism, and if caught he could be arrested. How would you like your house t.p.ed? Its a mess to clean up and just not a good idea at all. Whats next? Graffitti in the name of "art"? He is your child and no one's business how you raise him, but its just not necessary...he can get his kicks in much more productive ways.

I don't agree at all with TPing anyones house even if it is just for fun. There has to be other ways to have fun. It's wrong to just go vandalize someones home. And i agree with the person that said about Texas law having property rights to shoot someone. Someone could definitely get hurt over a stupid prank. I'm 21 years old and I have never TP'ed anyones house and i would never allow my daughter to do so. I have always felt that is not the right thing to do. If you want to TP someone house then TP your own house, and then clean up the mess and tell me how fun it was for you.

I don't know how it is where you live - innocent fun and things we did as kids are taken very seriously now. I've seen teens get end up in serious trouble for things that no one would have given a second thought to in the past. I've seen older teens vandalize several locations and be prosecuted and imprisoned for organized crime. You know your kid and his friends - I think you have to consider how it would end if he's caught.

It is fun, but the consequences are not. My nephew was arrested at school the next day after toilet papering someones house. He was told that the next time it happened, it would go on his record.

I think I read thru ALL the responses and was shocked - Shocked I tell you - to see that no one pointed out the "green" implications of TPing. For heaven sake, the senseless waste of TP and the garbage bags needed to clean it up all end up in the landfill people.

I am mostly kidding here. Except for the word "senseless" as that is what TPing is.

Tell your son that it is an act of vandalism and that he could be severly reprimanded by the police. Put the "fear" in him!:) Make it clear that you do not want him to participate in this type of activity. At 14 years of age, he knows right from wrong so if he takes heed to your wisdom that will be great. However, should he decide to TP a particular house then it will be his choice. Remember we can lead a horse to water but we cannot make the horse drink. In other words, we as parents can offer direction/discipline but it's up to the teenagers to make their own decision/face consequences for bad choices. Hang in there mom.

It is considered vandalism. I am married to a cop so of course he wont let the kids do it. I personally see no harm in it as long as the person he is doing it to, doesnt take it the wrong way. His parents could call the cops. Good Luck!

Since it is vandalism and against the law, I would say no. I have a 14 year old too, if I found out she had T-P'd I would make her clean it all up by herself.

I can't say that I've read through all of the requests, so I apologize if this is a repeat. However, maybe he could flamingo someone's house (of course, this is a much more expensive endeavor). We had a fundraiser where folks could give money for us to go flamingo someone's yard. We had about 50 pink flamingo's that we would put out in the yard. We'd come back a couple of days later to pick them all up so we could use them for the next person's house. It was funny and not too hard to cleanup!

Hi T.,
I also was torn about this and I did take my kids a couple of times if I knew the parents and knew they wouldn't mind. Then my sister told me it is actually agaist the law to do this and if the police see them they will stop and ticket them. I actually called my local police to see what they had to say about it and sure enough it is vandalism and the kids can get into trouble with the police. You might want to call them so you can have something concrete to tell your kids. It does help when they know it is against the law, but kids will be kids. My kids thought of a different way to do this stuff we call it postering, they make posters with fun sayings on them and staple to a paint stick and put this in the yards.

I say Allow! He could have been sneaky and he wasn't! It really is no big deal. TP never ruined anything and a water hose is all it takes to clean it up!

I see no harm in it. but Tell him it's ok, but only if HE helps with the clean up. when I was a teen I told my mom what we were going to do to a friends. Well she called my friends parents and let them know they were in for a Tp house rolling, but did'nt know hen. they that it would be funny as long s we helped with the clean up. We had a blast doing it, and the next day my frined called and said they were having a cleaning up party. Of course mom said I had to go. When i got there there WAs a party. We cleaned up, had a cookout and pool party. If you know the partentcal and let them know they will be targeted but do'nt know when. Even say you will help out with a little party.

Have your son ask the family that he is planning on doing it to and agree to help clean up. If they are understanding at all they will agree to let him do it. That's what we did also growing up. So much fun and they don't have to know exactly when it is g oing to be done. hope this helps

Have you ever cleaned up a TP'ed tree..not fun! Also not the worse thing anyone ever did. You could allow it under the condition that he has to take responsibility for any consequences that occur..including angry parents demanding your son clean it up or police in the wrong place at the wrong time.

What about doing something a little less messy, like filling the yard with pink flamingos, or plastic forks (stick in the yard thoughtout the entire front). Those are pretty funny, and they are not in the trees and bushes, easy to clean up and can even be used by that "victim" and be done to someone else. We used to have a life-size "tape doll" that would just appear at our front door and we would pass it along to some other unsuspecting person in our neighborhood who was expected to do the same. It was fun, and my daughter felt like she was part of a game, rather than not knowing whether the prank was done in fun or done maliciously.

A couple of questions come to mind: is the intended recipient a good friend of your son's or just some kid from school (that maybe gets picked on a bit), and do you know the parents of the boy? My thought is if it is a good friend and you know the parents, let your son have some fun with the understanding that he may end up having to be the one to clean it up too!

That's a tough one because so many of us (including me) have done it. Our neighbor's house gets tp'd just about every other week it seems. As an adult, I can see it's a big pain. The girl and her family are out every time cleaning up. It does not look like good clean fun.

I'd suggest trying to steer the kids towards another, less destructive and wasteful activity. Yes, it is vandalism most likely -- check with your city. It's not like they're going over to the neighbor's yard to do some weed pulling and tidying up. They're throwing paper all over the yard -- no doubt this is not something the home owners or their neighbors would want. Granted, it's not breaking windows or throwing paint on the house -- nothing that extreme. Would they be willing to pick it all up? I mean, it's not fair to the home owners for them to have to do it all. Maybe if they realize they have to clean it up, they might re-consider their evening.

Here's another thing to consider -- if they go out to do it,will they be violating curfew? are you going to go with them? isn't this a form of vandalism? in other words, couldn't they (and you) potentially get in some trouble. I'd seriously consider researching your area's laws before allowing this (or better yet, have you son research this).

Yes, it's great he told you and he shouldn't be punished for doing so imo; however, that doesn't mean that you should let him do it. If he came to you and said they wanted to go drinking, would you let them just because he asked. I dont' think so. It sounds like this might be a fabulous opportunity to begin discussing, and thinking through really difficult issues (ie peer pressure, what is vandalism, etc) in an open way. Have your son think through this don't just tell him what to do, have him think through it all. He sounds like a really good kid. Maybe the people he wants to tp would be all for it. I don't know. I just think there are a lot of things for everyone to consider. Life is messy you know?

Oh no! When did i become the grumpy grown up?? LOL.

I say there are pros and cons to this the world just isn't that same as it was when we were children.
Pros - Well it is better than some of the things that teenagers are doing in todays world.

Cons - Be safe and very quiet because the parents might mistake him as an intruder.

So really the judgement call is on you the parent. I hope this helped in some way.

GO FOR IT!!! Every single child in AMERICA, should have the right to TP a friends house. While at it...Add in the Silly String and the FORKS!!
WOW I honestly cant believe so many moms here are offened by the suggestion of some good old CLEAN AMERICAN TEEN FUN!
They arent hurting anything. Most of the teens I know are more then willing to pitch in and help get it all cleaned up later. I have seen my neighborhood kids clean up the mess even when they didnt make it!
There are worse things that kids could be out doing. Like gluing innocent lawn art aminals to the middle of a street!!!

I am sure I will get bashed and slammed....but OMG, LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE AND LET KIDS BE KIDS!!!!

Just my opinion! Even though he did ask, I wouldn't let him do TP anyone's house. It makes the property and the block look tacky, plus I don't think it would be setting a good example. Think of the work it would take to clean it up. If he ends up doing it, I would make him clean it up! I'm just being honest and I would do the same with my boys.

I would allow him to under the condition that he helps his friend and family clean it up the next day. If its a friend and innocent he shouldn't have any problem with those conditions.

KW

I would DENY. My daughter has asked to do this as well (14 yrs old) and we said flat out NO and if she is cought involved in it in any way she has some MAJOR consequences.

It is AGAINST the law and if they are out past midnight they are breaking curfew. Are you ready to face an angry parent and police LIKE ME.......

Our house has been tp'd 4 times. The last time, last week was crossing the line. We now have the police involved. She has some friends scared s--tless right now (as they should be)

We woke up to mustard all over the front door step for us to step in (if we were not looking) with some liqud (we suppose urine), the driveway with written messages of Hi, Whats up... in mustard and squirt cheese. Then sugar was poured on the driveway and it was topped off by eggs.

The police officer explained to my daughter that this is breaking the law and we have the option to press some charges. No, I don't want to do that, HOWEVER, I want it to stop. I can handle TP alone. I am still so po'd right now that I just might take action. My child is not even in high school yet.

I guess it is thanks to having a popular kid but it gets old. We know it will happen.....we can manage the TP, (by now I am a pro at removal (as is daughter).

It crosses the line when one group tries to out do the other then things get damaged. Yes, we can file and the kids who did it CAN get charged.

Word is out now that we have survelliance cameras in the yard.

A neighbor's yard got tp'd and the dad at that house is a polica officer. Someone noticed the MOM driving the car and got the plate pictures. Then daddy officer took some matteres to the police Dept.

my answer DENY unless YOU are ready to face some potential consequences.

You must of raised a very nice son for him to ask your permission, and at 14 he could be doing alot worst things. Toilet Paper never hurt anyone. I think since this is a "friend" rather than an enemy of sorts, you should allow this innocent fun for your son as long as he agrees to clean up the mess after he surprises his friend with a tp'd house. He will cherish that memory of you allowing him to have fun, and your permission to pull a harmless and fun prank on his friend.

I agree - give the other kids' parents a heads-up (and/or permission) and then be sure to participate in the clean-up, after the desired shock and awe has taken affect and subsided.

Mom of 5-4 boys, 1 girl

First, I am amazed he even asked your permission. Second, as long as it is JUST toilet paper, you're ok. It's mess-especially if it rains-but no toothpaste in the screens, and no chalk on driveways. All can be cleaned up, but the last 2 are bigger pains.How do I know this??? Can you tell what I did for fun as a kid??? lol Later

T.-
I think it is so cool that he would ask permission first! :) I have 2 teenagers (17 and 15)and instead of T.P. someone I buy about a zillion plastic forks (bulk from Sam's club) and let them go "forking". They stab the forks all over the person's lawn. They laugh so hard they can barely get the job done. I think it's a nicer prank because it is easier to clean up. You all have fun! :)
K. M.

My house was wrapped 2 years ago for my niece. We knew who it was, so we "recycled" the TP and wrapped her house. I guess it couldn't hurt to ask the receiving parents. I suppose not all parents are like me in that my kids would be picking it up in the morning. Many parents would be ticked because they do everything for their kids. Just a thought. I say go for it. Wish I could tag along...LOL

TP'ing is good harmless fun when done the right way--supervised! Also, I strongly agree that contacting the parents ahead of time and asking permission is the best route. Most will not object. I think it's a right of passage for kids and makes for great memories. Just be prepared for the deed to be recriprocated at a later date. :-)

We did that when we were teenagers and it was harmless fun! I would appreciate the fact that my child asked before he went. I say let him do it. You could be the chaperone just so you know that things are ok.

When our boys were young and wanting to T.P. we had 4 friends that thier kids were about the same age and wanted to do the same. We went with our boys and T.P. those houses only, in return they got ours. This was fun for all the kids and no one knew when the other was going to strike.
We as parents talked about it before the kids were allowed to do it. For a good 2 years no one knew who or when they were going to get hit.
No one got mad and it was all innocent fun. Just don't let anyone talk your kids into doing some one that is not in the group cause that is when trouble begins.
I hope you can find a fun group that will hook up with you.
Our kids all still talk about it and they are in their late teens and early twenties.
Goodluck and remember have fun with your kids. Keep it innocent, nondistructive and don't get mad when they get you back.

Yes, it is harmless fun. My dad took my friends and I when I when I was a teen, and I took my children. It was FUN. When our house got tp'd, the kids loved it because someone thought enough of them to do it!

I think it is great that you were asked for "permission." Keep up the good parenting.

I felt the same way. I was torn. My son went to visit a friend for memorial weekend that moved away, and I knew they were planning on doing it and his friends parents gave permission. I agree'd as long as they only did it to friends, not strangers or a kid they were having issues with. They had a blast and good times with it. The friend that got t.p'd retaliated. Apparently it's not only cool to TP, it's cool to be TP'd. I don't get it, but it seems very harmless. So be prepared, retaliation is part of it! BTW - kids have to do the clean up!

I guess you could ask the homeowners before that night if it would be ok... see what they say.

But I thinks its better to get a hole bunch of flamingos and put them in peoples yards. :o)

HTH
A. J

I would ask whose house he wants to tp and call the people of that house to see if it is okay. I let my kids do that -as long as they had permission from everyone invloved. Sometimes my kids would go back the next day and help clean up the mess-because they liked the people. Offer to drive and listen to their funny stories~ that is safer than letting them wander the neighborhood late at night. Join in-it is still fun!!!!

Several moms from our church all took there teens to TP a buddy's house. They didn't go over board and it was all in fun. I say Allow.

Ok, you have received a TON of responses on this so I know my opinion is just a small one in the pot, but the forking idea... NOT GOOD! Someone forked my yard but they actually broke the handles off the forks after they stuck them in the lawn, So you couldnt see the forks all that well. I found the first few with my feet (which got really cut up from catching on the jagged edges) and had to spend all morning scouring the lawn so my kids wouldnt get their feet caught on one. As a moher of 3, I am already exhausted enough with keeping up on the regular household chores, so when something like that happens, it is not hilarious, it is a pain in the butt!

I see you have gotten a TON of responses, but I had to add mine anyway. Mine is different.

I have 2 teenagers. Three summers ago I actually took them TPing and more than once. Their friends went. It's harmless. I will allow them to do things like that as long as they are not vandalism -- meaning that it will damage someone's personal property. I won't allow egging, wrapping cars, putting stuff in gas tanks, etc. For them, it's just a little prank.... as long as the TP isn't excessive.

We ended up getting TP'd last summer. I laughed and thought it was funny. We all cleaned it up. Kids need to be kids and they need to have some fun.

But, they do need to understand if they get caught they have to clean it all up!

It is vandalism because it is defacing anothers property. If he and his friends do it they must be prepared to face the friends parents the next day,apologize and the take all of it back down!

Have you ever seen a T.P. job after it rained?

Stick to your guns, Mom. Just because other people do it doesn't make it right. A phrase I dreaded hearing, and I'm sure mine did to--"Others may do it, but we don't". The good news is--if you stick to this, is that it covers all kinds of situations, not just those that are illegal. Oh, and by the way, vandalism is illegal! The other young persons parents may see it a such and call the police. Someone else might see them doing it and call the police.

Another famous 'Momism' is "Character is doing only what you are willing for the whole world to see.

God bless, Mom. Teenagers are a new challange every day.
D.--a great grandma

AFTER READING THE OTHER RESPONSES, I'M BACK!
PARENTS REMEMBER-----

1. Just because you did it doesn't make it right. Did you smoke pot?
2. The rush of excitement is due to the fear of getting caught. (One mother reports hiding in the bushes with her children when a police car came by)
3. My grandson and his 14 yr.old friends decided it would be funny to move stuff around in people's yards. Flower pots across the street, a garden bench down the street etc. Innocent fun, huh? No more damaging that TP. Someone recognised them and reported them. They had to pay a fine and do many weeks of community service. I specifically remember him cleaning cages at the animal shelter and going with the fireman to West Dallas to install smoke detectors.

I guess my question would be... why is this fun? When I was a kid, it was fun because we were doing it to someone's house that we didn't like and we laughed about those people having to clean up the big mess. (I know, immature! But I WAS immature.) Plus we were sneaking around so the rush of getting in trouble was also fun. So, I guess, if the kids have your permission, and they are willing to help clean up, and you differ from your husband that it is vandalism, then why is this fun?

Wouldn't it be more fun to go to a movie or go to a rock-climbing wall or make fart noises or something like that? I just don't really understand what the fun is, if they are making a huge mess (one that doesn't lead to anything) only to have to clean it up afterward.

That's just my thoughts... maybe you should ask your son some of these questions.

But, I would commend your son for being honest and coming to you. That's really awesome.

What an awesome son you have! To ask permission first is great. And if this is his idea of fun, well then I say it could be A LOT worse.

I wanted to tell you when I was younger we toilet papered a friend's house. It wasn't till several years later that my friends mom told me she actually called the other girls parents before we "snuck" out w/o us knowing and got permission from her parents! So we thought we were being sneaky when they were the ones laughing behind our backs. Maybe you could do the same?

I know of a woman who was permanently crippled in the hip when she went with friends to TP a house. The owner shot at them and hit this girl and changed her life forever. Not worth the risk people.

Hi T.,

The only time I was allowed to TP anyones house growing up was when I did drill team and we had permission from the teammates parents to do so. Every season before competition the parents could agree or disagree to their house being TP'd so we had to respect those that chose no to and had fun doing those that agreed. Is there any way to get the parents permission before doing so? IMO, I would be annoyed if someone did so w/out me knowing it was coming. If you know the other parents well and you know they won't mind then let him go for it but if you don't know them at all, I would make sure to get permission first.

Take care.

Concerning, TP-in, it is not just the friend that is the receipient. It's also a blight on the PARENT'S property, house, trees, bushes, etc. And it imposes a huge clean-up on them. Depending upon how much sense of humor THEY may have, it may also be viewed as a very unfriendly gesture, or at best, a total hassle, ie., irritant. As a parent, I myself wouldn't want to have to deal with it, so therefore I would not allow it for someone else's. Unless you're on good enough terms with the parents to call them and ask if they would approve it, I wouldn't recommend it. The paper that gets wrapped high up in the trees can hang there for weeks unless there's a big-time downpour soon after.

T.,

That's a hard one because he is asking you and you want to keep those lines open. I was always allowed to t.p houses and it is one of those things that is innocent fun. You could maybe talk to the mother of the kid they want to t.p. and make sure that they won't call the police on your son.

Good luck...I'm not looking forward to those decisions (my girls are only 2 and 7 months).

We had two rules regarding TPing when I was a teen - must be a friend and must be over bright and early the next day to clean it up........I will never forget when a boy thought he would get around that rule and papered the house across from me - it belonged to a Dallas police officer...yep, he and I were over very early to clean up...lol.....luckily the officer was very nice...

My 14yr old son just went out to TP last night!
My husband won't have anything to do with it! I think it is a way for them to feel that rush of excitement in a fun way. I make it clear...u get caught, u will clean it up. Nothing that would :ruin" anything is allowed (eggs, etc) Retaliation is all on them to clean up all by themselves. I drive them after midnight so they are with an adult.
They just love it!! Ah good times, fun memories!

Well, I'd research it some on the internet. Think about what could go wrong- could he get arrested for vandalism? Apparently there's a Texas law that allows the use of deadly force (shooting someone) at night only if the person feels threatened on their property. There are incidents of kids being shot while tp'ing someone's house because the homeowner thought the kids were trying to break in. Congrats to your son for asking before doing. I'd say weigh the possible consequences against his desire to play a prank.

Please don't do this. This is vandalism. We have gotten t.p.'d twice. Once I had just had a baby - maybe two weeks old at the time. My husband left to go to work and i got a call. He said that it was about to rain and we had gotten t.p,'d. I had to go out there and try to take all of that stuff down before it rained. I think the kids meant to t.p. the house next door because she is a teacher. We would have had no reason to be t.p'd b/c we don't have grade school kids. The next time my husband had to spend his Saturday taking all of the toilet paper down - not a fun thing to do when you work all week and want to just get the normal chores done so you can spend time with your family.

I can tell you being the one on the otherside of the TP, if the persons knows who did it and the cops are called or they are caught they will be fined and ordered to clean it up..

I just read your thank you note for all the requests you received and noticed you might allow the forking idea. Be careful....I had a neighbor get forked and when they pulled them out a lot of them broke so the had to dig the pokey things out and then a few were left and the lawnmower went over them and it cost them a repair.

T.,
Just to add the legal part to this, it is indeed vandalism and your son and his friends can be prosecuted for the damage. Remember there are costs involved in removal and those costs quickly can add up.

My mom used to be the ring leader for my younger siblings to TP houses, especially in middle school. They have very fond memories of the fun, although I'm not sure it sent the right message, they all turned out to be stellar, responsible adults. No lasting damage for sure.

But, they did not TP a house to tease in a spiteful way or with meanness. Sometimes, my mom would even give the parents a "heads up" to make sure that it would be o.k.? and then the kids would show up with donuts to help clean up the next morning. They even TP'd teacher's houses. On occasion, it was for a birthday or award. It was an "honor" in a sense to be TP'd not something that was meant to embarress or create friend problems. It does feel a little bit like the good old innocent days of lemonade stands and firefly hunting.

There were rules about HOW the big a mess could be made, and the impact on neighbors.

I'm still on the fence for my own kids to do it. I haven't gotten any requests. But, I'd follow my mom's example, except for hiding in the bushes when the cops drove by. Although, my brother's LOVE tell that story about my mom.

I would let my kids go for it. They showed respect enough to ask and it is all in fun. Just let your son know that he might have to go help clean up the mess if the other family ask.

Creative ideas to call the parents. However, as I read what you said about your husband saying it is vandalism, I would say no. As parents, it is important that you be a united front in your parenting. If your husband is uncomfortable with it, the obvious answer to me is no. How would you feel if he gave your son permission to do something that made you feel uncomfortable? Just my take on it! Good luck with your decision.
A.

TP is a very youthful kind of fun...when it is done with a small joke in mind and not a revenge issue. Make a deal with your son....OK, TP to your hearts delight, you can drive him to the house and even get in on the fun or just watch. What you could also tell your son is at ___:00 the next day that he will go and help the friend clean up. Most parents have done this in thier youth and if you give a heads up to the other parents they will go along with the fun as well. Be sure to tell them about what your son will be doing the next day. Blessings, T. Willis www.christiancottageprep.com

I didn't realize it was a felony! If it's a felony where you are, I'd say that's answer enough. I like the idea of him TPing your house & cleaning it up. I went once w/a friend to TP & we chickened out. I'm glad we did, because I didn't think about it blowing into anybody else's yard or the annoyance of cleaning up dewy TP in the morning. We just didn't like the person & wanted to let them know.
Kudos to your raising that he felt comfortable coming to you about it!

It is so sad that something as innocent as TP'ing is regarded as vandalism these days. While it is not fun to clean up, when we were teenagers, getting your house TP'd was actually a compliment - it was something you did to people you liked!'

Personally I see no harm in it, especially since he asked. The sad part is that others don't feel the same way, and you wouldn't want your son to get in any kind of trouble.

I like the person who suggested calling the mom of the house to be TP'd first. I think that's a great idea.

You have gotten ALOT of responses, but I would like to add that I would NOT let him go alone. First of all, this has to be done at night, so it is just plain unsafe. Secondly, most communities have a curfew -- there is a reason. My 16 year and 14 year olds have gone many times, with my driving. I don't go to houses that I don't know the parents. I get to "monitor" it and make sure they don't do anything dangerous or that will damage property. Toilet paper is just toilet paper. We have also gone back to the next morning to clean it all up. Our house is tp'd regularly, and my kids have to trade who cleans it up.

Either way -- I agree, at least he is faithful enough (in you) to ask permission, rather than sneaking around!

My thought is, if it's a friend's house, as long as they go over in the morning and help clean up, I'm okay with it. The other stipulation is that it can not be vicious, to bully and humiliate someone,or just to be mean. However, it is considered vandalism and he could get in trouble. I think the fork idea is awesome and would probably suggest that instead. The big key for me is he should go over and help clean up in the morning. I wouldn't care if someone TP'd or forked my yard as long as they helped clean up. Anything else, especially liquid or eggs, not okay. That's cool that he's asking you about it. Good kid!

T.,

I say let this kids have fun. Just as long as it's just TPing.

I can honestly say that these little pranks can become vindictive and mean (from experience). But if they are true friends and not being mean to another kid, then let them do it. I like the Chaperone idea.

An example of the wrong thing to let your kids do is: When I was in high school, I played on the Varsity Golf Team. (Marcus High School- graduation year 2005) Some of the girls on the team (to be hateful) took pads and tampons and put them all over my Ford Expedition, then took tobasco sauce and ketchup and poored it all over my truck. Then eggs, and then a banana in the tailpipe. IT WAS THE MOST DISGUSTING AND EMBARRESSING THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. They then proceeded to take pictures of it and hand it out in the hallways to the boys varsity team and stood around being complete jerks laughing about it. We did call the police and file a report but never heard anything after. I filed for harrassment at school but because we were going to probably win state for the Varsity team and needed all 4 girls, the Principal and the Coach did nothing. I quit the team and played as an individual the rest of the year and the team ended up needing my score to go to state.

On another note, my boyfriend did my house one night with some friends in high school and I though it was funny because it showed me he was thinking about me.

TPing, as friends, should be aloud. A word of advice. Don't do it the night before it rains. And, call the parents of the other kid the next morning and make sure they don't need help cleaning it up.

I saw that you have received tons of replies, but a friend of mine had her yard forked. Those plastic white forks were all over her front yard. She thought it was hilarious! Maybe your son could do something like that. And I guess there's a plus side to that...he would be airating the yard, haha. But yes, ask friends to see if they'd be up for it before hand.

Have fun!
A.

Where I live the fine for TPing is $500 PER ROLL! When that went into effect, we tried TPing a friend's bedroom and hiding candy all over it (with parental permission, we were even treated to cake during the act). He was so sad that he had to clean his room the next day instead of what he wanted to do. We never did that again.

It would have been better to nicely decorate the room as a surprise, or put out tacky lawn ornaments like pink flamingos and the like.

I suppose if everyone's okay with it... But, just make sure this isn't going to result in legal problems for your son. It really is illegal so just be sure that no one's going to get too bent out of shape over it.

Only allow if the people know and your son is responsible for the clean up the very next day. Pretty much takes the fun out of it.

I am 23 so my TPing days weren't that long ago! First I want to remind you how blessed you are....your child asked permission! When I was a teenager I always asked permission to toiletpaper a friend...my Dad often went along with us(he didnt participate just supervised) and I always called to ask my friend/crushes parents. My parents always wanted me to ask to make sure the kid was home to see it first thing in the morning and also to make sure they didn't have plans like leaving town or having friends/family over the next day. This is such harmless fun that we all have...let them experiance it too! It's also fun to buy plastic forks and fork their front yard!! LOL...just an idea!!

In this time when kids can't do 1/2 of what we could do - let them have a lil old fashion fun!

When I was a kid I went to a sleepover birthday party where the big activity was TPing one girl's house. The girl was attending the party, and the mom of the birthday girl had called the other girl's mom to make sure it was okay. I remember hearing that only TP could be used, and that anyone who didn't want to participate would not be forced to. Both moms sat on the curb and watched the whole thing, and the next day, the birthday girl helped her friend clean up the mess.

I do know of other more serious acts of vandalism that resulted in the kids being taken to court and sued for the cost of repairs (one for thousands of dollars to have a car repainted because a girl had put some caustic material all over the hood of a car that she thought belonged to a guy who wouldn't date her), so be sure that if your son does participate in the TPing they only use TP and nothing something that might cause more damage.

WOW! This is a hot topic! I am amazed at the number of parents that say no. They must have had some bad experiences with it. My son and his friends did this quite often a few years ago when they were in 6th grade. It was a compliment and a badge of honor. They only did it to kids they liked. It was never done in malice. I went with him and his friends when they did it to be sure they were safe. When our house was TPed, I never cleaned it up, my son did. It was not a big nuisance to me. It was just good, clean fun. I knew his friend's parents and knew they would not be upset. That is probably the most important thing. If you think his friend's parents fall into the category of the parents that think it is vandalism, then he definitely should not do it. If you think they would be OK with it, then I think it is fine.

Find out who the child is. If it is a close friend of your sons then go for it. The only problem we have with being teepeed is getting the toilet paper out of the tippy top of trees, just make sure all of it will be easily accessable for clean up. Vandalism is for strangers if the children are friends and jokes like this pass between them I wouldn't call it vandalism. you are not destroying property, toilet paper is bio degradable, etc.
I don't think you should call the parents and give them the heads up. What is the point in toilet papering someones house if you have to clean it up? being friends they should find out soon enough who did it and then be ready for revenge. Have fun!

Have your son call the parents of the friend and ask permission. That's what my son's friend did and he was so darling how could I refuse.

I've been surprised, that the teens and pre-teens on my block actually believe getting your house T.P.ed is a badge of honor - like only the cool kids get their house TP'ed. On the other hand, when a group of kids accidentally got the wrong house (couple with a newborn) it wasn't so funny.

Are you friends with this friend's parents? If so, I would ask them how they feel about it. Obviously, you still want it to be a surprise to the friend, but if the parents are OK with it, you don't have to worry about vandalism, legal issues, etc. They might also be able to distract their teen if they know when it's going to happen (and turn off their sprinkler, 'cause that makes the biggest mess).

If I were the parents, I would say yes, and appreciate your talking to me about it beforehand. I also would keep it quiet from my kids, so they could enjoy the surprise. You might also offer that your son and his other friends would help clean up afterwards.

Good Luck!

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I love the idea of calling the parents first and appreciate you asking the question as I learned somthing from this! If you make a "party" out of it, the event takes on even more meaning! Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

I think this is part of being a teenager, we have been TP'd several times and let me tell you, I have huge tree's out front, when I first saw it I laughed out loud, but my husband views it same as yours does. It is a huge hassle to clean up,but very innocent fun.

what about all that paper that gets wasted? not good for the environment... people mentioned that it gets stuck in trees-- also think about the trees that were cut down, hauled to a mill, and processed into TP, just for this prank!

No freakin' way. Kids need to learn to respect boundaries. :-)