Monday, May 21, 2007

Neighbors

I try to live peaceably with my neighbors since almost all of us are outside in the summer. But I just need to vent for a second, there is one lady that has a 3 1/2 year old. SHE. DRIVES. ME. CRAZY. She hovers over her son and then she does that to my children, not to mention last summer she spanked Monkey right in front of me. Yeah I was steaming about that but that is a different story for another time. Anyways, my kids know they aren't to go to into the street even my 2 yr old knows that. When he gets close to the street we tell him to stay back and he listens and if he doesn't then he has to sit on our lap for a time out or we take him inside. Well her almost 3 1/2 year old (he will be 4 in Oct) hasn't grasped this concept yet because she runs after him every time he gets near the street and so he thinks its a game and most of the time runs into the street. It's really nerve racking to watch. Well today I was blowing bubbles and Red was getting close to the street and just as I was telling him to come back she starts running after him, which he thought was funny and then takes off, not into the street but away from her. I couldn't take it and asked her not to chase my children and that they know not to go in the street. I wanted to say, "I am their parent not you so please let me parent them they way I want and you parent your child they way you have been and let me know how that goes in about 10 years when he doesn't know how to handle himself without you around." Of course, I would never really say this to her but I *really* wanted to. It just frustrates me to no end. I just want to know what would you do if she was your neighbor? I think we will be purchasing pool passes this summer and so that we won't be home much!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I see your point. I'm not sure what I would do with a neighbor like that- and I hope I don't have to find out now. My issue at the moment is a friend who gives her kids way too much of leash- she lets them play in their pool unsupervised and go across the street to the park by themselves, and she'll take a shower while they're out there. They're just 5 and 3, and I think that's just too young- but yeah, you have to let people parent their kids like they're going to, it's just hard to know what to do when it comes to a life and death issue.

Tonya said...

I am always outside with my kids they are NEVER unsupervised I just don't hover over them let she does, I let them play with the neighbor kids while I watch and make sure they are following the outside rules ie not going into the street and playing safely. We do have neighbors that let there kids roam the block and they are 7 and 6 years old and I still think that is too young to be left unattended especially outside in the big wide world. Then my kids ask why they can't go outside without me or daddy. After explaining it to them a few times I think they get it. They haven't questioned it again...but we take them outside a lot.

Anonymous said...

Um, she gave your child a spanking? I know that's not what this post is about, but I couldn't get past that. I would be telling that lady something! lol. I think it was good that you asked her not to chase your children. Let her know that you're right there, and if they need to be chased down, YOU'LL do it.

Amydeanne said...

I think asking her was a good thing, and yup I'd be avoiding her as much as possible... I could think of lots of things I'd want to say lol

Queen of the Mayhem said...

I think you definitely need to set boundaries with this woman. I have a number of friends that we have agreed to let each other discipline our kids....but we all agreed to that. I would never put my hands on another person's child without their permission.

You could just tell her that you and your husband have agreed on a discipline regimen and you want to be consistent....so if she notices a problem, she could bring it to your attention and you will handle it. You could even go with the whole, "Then you won't have to bother with it" angle!

Anonymous said...

I hear ya on all of the above... I hate it when people harp on MY CHILDREN, Karl and I are raising them from sun up to sun down (with help from the school, and sitter), but they know what we expect out of our children. I expect to know if they are out of line, that night it will get fixed! I think when you show as much love as disapline to your children, they have an enormas amount of respect for their parents. If we didn't disaplin, they wouldn't know they are loved. Take Maverick for example *best* kid I have, does what he is told to do when he is told to do it w/o complaints.... I told him NOT to cross the street since there was a car coming and what did he do...?? yeap crossed the street and got hit... do you think he doesn't look both ways now when he is crossing the street. When he is outside playing he is much more aware of his surroundings.... great teaching lesson, too bad it had to happen that way. I think next time this "lovley lady" tries to comand your children, you could say polietly to her... He's fine, he's not doing anything wrong to my standards, however your son ______ pointing out something he has recently done that irritated you ..... I know what you mean about keeping the peace... my neighbor call the police on my dogs instead of just coming to me and telling me they were in his yard... how immature was that... now his 10 year old doesn't have many friends to play with - cause my kids make up the play group in our neighborhood!!! :)


Still planning on getting preg. on the 9th -16th of Nov. for a 08-08-08 delivery date