Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Predicament.

So, we've got some neighbors. They rent the house next to ours and it has been a train wreck waiting to happen from day one.

The neighbors have a slew of children, maybe five at home and two out of the house. Their youngest is the exact same age as my four year old. At first, this was Luke's dream come true, and every morning he would run out to "Play Bike" with his new playmate. They swung on the swings, played in the sandbox, and chased our cat around the yard. It didn't take me long, however, to realize that I couldn't let them out of my sight while they were playing. Presently, this boy has, on separate occasions, given my four year old a black eye and a fat lip, not to mention the numerous times that the boy's father has had to bring back toys that "accidentally" made it out of our garage and into theirs.

It's frustrating, and I now have the full sympathy of every mother in our development, who are always asking me questions and telling me how I ought to deal with the situation.

In the past fews weeks the situation has escalated. The multiple teenage daughters in the home are constantly screaming at one another. They slam doors and smoke behind the house. The profanity is both vulgar and so loud that I can hear it inside my home. And now, I've noticed, that the four year old is consistently screaming profanity right along with the girls. At 7am this morning I took the dog out only to hear the four year old scream "F*** you," at his mother in their garage. I heard this at least five more times out of him throughout the course of the day without leaving my own yard.

Now, I hate to sound snobbish, but this is just not that kind of neighborhood. People are generally "normal." Everyone works hard and has seemingly well-adjusted children. I can't imagine any of the other parents in our development thinking it's ever appropriate to have a preschooler swear. And to think, I gave Luke a time out yesterday because he called the dog stupid!

I'm tempted to call the owner of the home to complain about the tenets. Is that bad? Is that crossing the line? It's been a summer of door-slamming, screaming, and constant juvenile profanity, and frankly, I'm just really sick of having to hear it.

What would you do if you were me and had two small kids who had to hear garbage everyday?

6 comments:

Tessa said...

Mallory~
I can't tell you how much our situations are alike! We have "unruly" neighbors also, and like your neighborhood, ours is one of hard working parents with great, wel bhaved children. Needless to say, these people don't "belong" in a neighborhood lke ours or yours. We've oftened joked around with each other that we are going to petition to get them to move away from here. Although no such thing can happen, we constantly deal with mom and boyfriend fighting, screaming, swearing, etc. at each other. The 2 young daughters have picked up every vulgar language thats been said, and say it to each other. They are pesky, and think they can come to "help" with my daycare children. I've called law enforcement many times, and each time they have graciously responded to my requests to stop the yelling, and understand my and our situation of having many young kids around here.
I think you should call the homeowners and say something. If that gets to no where, don't be afraid to call law enforcement. They are there to help, and the tenants don't have to know who called. You shouldn't have to put up with it...kids are such sponges, and will pick up something eventually. Take action... It'll make a difference!
Have a great (and hopefully peaceful) rest of the week!
~Tessa

Sarah said...

I totally second the first comment. Call the landlord, call law enforcement . . . do what it takes to protect your kids from that nasty behavior . . .you're not only helping everyone else in the neighborhood, but you're doing those kids a favour by calling it in.

Mallory said...

Tessa, I feel your pain! Yes, it's so awful. Thank you for your suggestions, they are very empowering. I keep asking myself, "Do I REALLY have to listen to this...in my front yard or in my closed house?" Seriously, my kids have woken up from their naps because of the screaming family. I don't *THINK* there is anything abusive going on, but A LOT of drama and very disturbed children. Mark was gone the last three days and today when he came home I vented to him and he said to do the same thing you said. So, I'll definitely be calling the police the next time they are disturbing the peace.

@Sarah, thank you. Fortunately, I've been able to keep the kids away from it as much as I can. They don't hear language like that, so in some ways, they don't even have the consciousness to know that it's wrong. But the dis-respect is evident, and there are many dinner table conversations regarding how to children treat their parents.

Anyone want to move to a farm in Idaho with me?

Anonymous said...

Oh Mallory that sounds awful! You should not have to listen to that in your yard and definitely not in your house!! I agree with the other comments, call the landlord and fill him in on what you have observed. If it doesn't go anywhere call the police, at least then there will be some record of the disturbances and maybe then the landlord will take it seriously. Have you talked to the parents at all?? It probably would be very uncomfortable but maybe they are struggling and at a loss as to what to do to control their kids....not an excuse for their behavior but you never know what is going on.

Hope this helps!!

Laura Nelson

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