Oh yes, I can relate. We live in military housing and there are soooo many kids. I was excited about all the playmates when we moved in two years ago, but now I am D-O-N-E. We really need some space. It is so loud here. The kids across the street scream and play outside till midnight every night of the week. My dh went and talked to their parents but it didn't help.
Glad to find this post. We are dealing with a neighbor kid right now. She's 7 and lives with her dad. She's a handful and always wants to play with my 12 year old son-why??? At first I let my 5 year old dd play for a few minutes at a time with her (outside while I watch them) only because I feel sorry for her, but this little girl is a brat. She will ring our bell 5-6 times a day even after I tell her no. She does not get the hint, even when I tell her she comes over too much. Then last night my DH was in the garage with the door up, its maybe 8:30, almost completely dark and SHE SNEAKS UP ON MY HUSBAND! He's like "It's dark-go home" and she just hangs out around the yard. Sheesh. I don't think she's necessarily being abused at home, but at the very least her dad does not keep track of her like he should. She should not be running around the neighborhood in the dark at age 7. I worried she's gonna get kidnapped. Anyway, I have to decide what to do about her. Maybe she needs help from CPS? I have no idea how that works and if it would cause them problems and they might retaliate?
Meg - if you have kids doing that.... I would get a nanny cam or something and video tape them....then show it to the police.... they WILL find out whose kids they are and fix it usually. My old neighbor had a problem and put up a sign that you saw when you came up the driveway "SMILE YOU'RE ON CAMERA!" with a HUGE yellow smiley face. The kids stopped coming over and doing stuff.... she never actually HAD a camera though
Mom 2 3, I understand your frustration have you tried talking to the Dad at all. I know a friend of mine who was frustrated when her neighbor moved in and their daughter was always over even during dinner. Her daughter has diabetes and needs to eat her food not be distracted. Well she talked to the Mom and they worked it out. Perhaps the Dad isn't aware of where his daughter is going off too but would be willing to talk to her. Since she obviously isn't respecting your requests to stay away. Just a thought. Otherwise I would call CPS if she is out at night all the time. That isn't safe.
Bah. I am jealous of (some of) your neighbors. My 9 yo daughter has to keep the 7 yo boy next door from hitting her 3 yo sister. He also throws rocks at my kids. I was so excited to have a 9 yo girl and a 7 yo boy next door to us, same age as my oldest girl and boy. If someone ever says "but homeschooled kids will never learn abt bullies!" (like that's an argument for public school <eyeroll>), I'm going to point to our neighbors. <gulp> Ya'll make me feel bad. My 3 yo and 5 yo play outside with the 7 and 9 yo to watch them. They all play together. I'll step out on occasion to check, and I always do a 'where's the baby?' headcount, but generally...she's outside by herself. But...they don't bother the neighbors. XD
