Do you think I am being to harsh

[chimicole]

Our son (age 11) has ADHD and mild mental issues. He is CONSTANTLY being teased and hit by neighborhood children that call him names and treat him like dirt...
I actually SAW a boy come up behind him and hit him in the back of his head once when he was walking home from school one day, and the kid looked up and saw me and took off the other way....
When we got a pool, of course all the neighborhood children wanted to come over and play in it. I said no.
The pool was bought for our family benefit, not everyone elses.
Of course, the mean boys mother (they MUST get their attitude from her...) will yell at the neighborhood children and cuss up a storm at them. She did it to our children once, and dh had a word or two with her about it. Poor parenting, in my book. I'm not perfect by any means, but geez.....
So I agree to talk to your son. If he says yes, then give it a try. If he says no, then that's what he wishes. You can't force him to be friends with someone he doesn't feel comfortable around.

[Rae Rae]

I don't think you were being harsh at all! I would've said the same thing. My parents have a pool as well, and it was amazing when I was younger how many kids in the neighborhood wanted to be your BFF during the hot summer months! Also, this kid has hurt your child, and I don't have kids myself, but I know when someone hurts someone that I love, I don't forget that! Kid or not, my kids feelings come first!

This kid probably expected a "yes" because it sounds like his parents don't put their foot down with him, he probably gets everything he wants, and this was the first time he ever heard "no".