First of all - respect should be taught to that 8 year old from her mother NOT to ruin other people's things including their gardens. That makes me mad because I love my garden. Maybe the mother needs to have rules and learn to be a parent? There is a lot of that going around these days, so sad.

As far as the little boys, I have one like that who I called my Jeckyll & Hyde boy because he went through a long phase while he was 3 of turning into a kid I didn't recognize in front of his Mom at dropoff & pickup time but was an angel for me all day long. Why? Because he knows he has to follow my rules or pay the price - actions have consequences. I try to tell my dcparents who are not parenting that it is ok to take control of their home when I can see for a fact that the child has control of the family.

You have to give this mother some tips! Maybe she will learn and appreciate your help or maybe she won't but she will pay the price because the children are controlling her home. When my little boy was going through that phase I had his shoes & coat on and at the door for his Mom and rushed them out as quickly as possible. If I were you I would have them at the road, past your garden for pickup!