Thursday, April 17, 2008

HELP!....NEIGHBOR PROBLEMS.

So today, I had just gotten home from picking Audrey and her friend Brooklyn up. They were playing in the backyard and our neighbors, Isabella and Diego came out to play. They are five year old twins. I looked out a little later and noticed that Audrey and Isabella were leaving Brooklyn out. I decided to have Audrey and Brooklyn come in and go play upstairs. They did, and I went up to turn a movie on for Alex. While I was upstairs, I heard someone coming up the stairs. I turned to see Isabella and Diego. They had just walked in our house! I said, "Hey, what are you guys doing?" They said, "Our mom said we could come over." I said, "Oh, really?" They proceeded to walk into the play room and start playing. I have to admit, I really didn't know what to do. Somehow, I told them they had to leave and that maybe they could come back later. They just kept saying, "Our mom said we could". What am I supposed to say to that?

They are nice enough kids, but they have some strange habits. For instance, I've seen both of them going to the bathroom outside a couple of different times. They just pull their pants down and go wherever they are, who knows how many times they have gone in my yard! Another day, Audrey came in with a can of Coke they had given her to drink. It was about 3/4 the way gone! They had also been outside watching "The Simpson's Movie" on a portable DVD player. I thought that was a little weird. My four year old, "The Simpson's Movie", and a Coke? Are you kidding me?

They are constantly in my yard swinging on our swingset, peering in our back door, leaving their garbage, playing in my dirt, leaving their toys in our yard, taking my kids' toys to their yard, and now, coming in my house! I know we just need to get a fence, but the other day I was talking to their Dad about it. He said he really isn't in a hurry to get a fence because of how much fun the kids have together. He said he is afraid that if we get a fence, they won't see each other anymore. Audrey really likes to play with them and I admit, it is nice for me to be able to send her out to play sometimes. I just don't want her picking up on some of their strange habits! That sounds so terrible, I know. She just seems to get a real attitude after she has been around them. I had to yell at them today because I had asked them not to throw dirt on the patio, and five minutes later I look out and they were throwing dirt on the patio. I was so mad! I'm sure they think I'm a witch, but enough is enough! I guess I need to sit them down and set some rules or something, because apparently they don't have any at their house. It's getting to the point where I don't want Audrey to play with them. It is hard though because everytime she sees them in our yard, which is a lot, she wants to go out. I feel bad keeping her from playing, but I honestly would prefer she didn't play with them. What should I do? Am I overreacting?

8 comments:

heidi said...

It sounds like you guys need a fence, what about one with a door that connects to there back yard. That way you can control the comings an goings a little better with out totally cutting off contact.
Audrey seems to listen to you really well, maybe you should have a talk with her about not drinking soda and watching bad movies...
I don't know just a thought, i have no kids so I'm really not to much of a help.

Melissa and Nate said...

My vote would definately be to get a fence. The kids can still play, they'll just have to come around. I think it would make your life a lot easier. :)

Brian & Heidi Haas said...

I would be going crazy too! We have to have our doors locked ALL the time or we would have neighbor kids in our house...unexpected also.

So my vote is get the fence. ;)

Oh and Hi Josie...I found ya from another blog...mind if I add you to my links?!?!?

Unknown said...

I am so sorry. That is so hard. WE had similar problems times 10 and I had to go tell the aunt not to let her niece come over any more. She asked why and I laid it on the line, told her straight up she was telling my kids about inappropriate topics and language. The aunt was so embarrassed and I felt good. Sometimes it is hard to be the "mom" but I always tell myself that my job is to protect my kids first and not someone elses.

Nikki said...

FENCE!!!

Anonymous said...

I know, you can move next door to me!

Marcie said...

Hey Josie I'm so glad you found me. Your kids are beautiful. I am not looking foward to the whole playing with friends thing. I've seen my older sisters battle some of these same problems. My dad has a saying it goes "GOOD fences make GREAT neighbors". Well have to keep in touch now. Look foward to hearing more from you.

Grammy said...

Josie, it is perfectly okay to set boundaries with these neighbors. If the kids say their mom said they could come over, simply tell them that YOU did not say they could come in your house. They need to learn those boundaries, and they need to learn some MANNERS! It is your house, and your children, and you are the MOM of your home. Don't let those bratty kids run things. I finally had to tell one ouf our little neighborhood kids that they couldn't play with our basketball standard any more. They went through our trash, found some firecrackers that Nick had throw out, and lit them on the side of our house. They also climbed our rain gutter and broke it. I really don't care if they think I am mean. Too bad. Guess that sounds pretty harsh, but dang! We really do have to set those boundaries or they will walk all over us. And you could always pull out your secret weapon and sic JANET on them! Hee hee