kids just wandering over to play

[The_Jeff]

I've got two boys, 4 and 6.

Neighbor has two, 4 and 5. The 5 & 6 year olds know each other from the school bus.

We invited them over a couple days back. Grand time.

Kids invited themselves over today. Huh...

They pretty much jumped on my kids' bikes and started riding. They at least found some helmets. My kids leave the stuff out if it's not raining. Happy to share. But those kids don't stop or look for traffic.

They also suffer other holes in their upbringing, possibly caused by the type of parents who kick them into the back yard and don't notice when they've wandered off to the neighbors.

They're also a riot to listen too: one of them fell off a tree and got knocked out and woke up in the hospital. Great, klutzes on my playground equipment.

Kids get along good. Wife thinks I'm the square for wanting a more formal invite situation. Eh?

 

[sciphi]

I sure wouldn't want kids that young going out unsupervised or without parents having called ahead. If they get hurt on your property the neighbors will surely be looking to have your insurance covering their bills.

 

[Barkleymut]

They are kids, they heal quickly. Quit worrying and let them have fun.

 

[supton]

They are a bit young for that. I'd be fine with it, would love to have that; but I'd want to be good friends with parents.

 

[cp3]

I have to say I'm on your side eljefino. Unfortunately I'm not one for giving people the benefit of the doubt and I hate to find out that the parents are "that" type of person after something happens.

I've never had to worry about it, we've never had neighbors with kids the same age. And when they were younger they both had a very small group of friends.

 

[The_Jeff]

Um yeah I called the cops on the dad a couple years back for his fireworks being way over the 45 dB sound level ban.

Fireworks had just been legalized, but my town hadn't updated the noise ordinance. And they set them off EVERY NIGHT for like a month, at 7:45, right when my kids were trying to sleep.

But they stopped, and now we're cool, though I barely know (of) them.

Basically, Kenny from South Park lives next door.

But, the kids get along. Wife thinks we should hide the bikes and let them play.

 

[fdcg27]

The problem is that you might end up as the default child care center for these kids, if their parents really just leave them to fend for themselves.
We actually had that happen many years back.
I had to tell the parents politely but firmly "NO".

 

[99Saturn]

A square? - Probably but I have the same opinion as you. Any number of things for those kids to get hurt on. Not something I need from a liability standpoint.

Had the same situation (we don't have kids though) with the neighbors across the street - just sent the kids home this time, not looking forward if it persists.

My

- stop it quick if you're going to so it's not more of a production in the future. We made that mistake when we first moved in, a lot harder to break the habit later.

 

[toneydoc]

Kids will be kids and your kids need to know how to play and react and deal with other people. I doubt any thing will result from play. When I was growing up, we used to fight from time to time and that was considered necessary here in the south. Of course that was a different time and place. As long as they don't steal or abuse the kids stuff, I would not worry too much about it. I would try to meet and be friendly with the other parents. Heck, who knows, in a few more years the kids may run around with each other all the time. Get to know the neighbors is my advice.

 

[bdcardinal]

When I was a kid, my friends and I always made it a point to ask the parents or grandparents if it was ok to come over.

I would probably make sure your kids bring everything in, you wouldn't want one of their kids breaking something of yours or getting hurt. It sucks society has come to this, but people are sue happy for the smallest thing.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: eljefino

They're also a riot to listen too: one of them fell off a tree and got knocked out and woke up in the hospital. Great, klutzes on my playground equipment.

As already posted here, kids are tough and it's part of growing up. That is very true. But here is what COULD happen:
Little Johnny is on your property and ends up hurt or in the hospital. When they fill out the accident report, they then ask him how it happened. Little Johnny says that he got hurt playing in Mr. Eljefino's yard or or fell out of Mr. Eljefino's tree.
Mr. Eljefino then gets hit with a lawsuit and although he wins, his homeowner's insurance gets canceled.
Call me paranoid and go ahead and laugh, but I've seen it happen.

 

[daves87rs]

Mine is around the same age, and I have a similar problem with a kid down my street. Granted, they play nice (though he seems to break stuff), but I have not even met the mom yet. At least I know my other neighbor's kids..

I want to be kinda square, more for safety (for me too) reasons....

 

[Cutehumor]

Kids are good. But some parents take advantage and let their kids be watched by you eljefino. It has happened to me at public parks, as the parents are on a park bench on their iphones

 

[TWG1572]

This is a tough one. On on hand, I see the liability argument. But on the other, I agree with toneydoc that kids need to play with others and learn how to interact and deal with people.

My neighborhood is one where the "norm" appears to be one where parents kick their kids out of the house and tell them to go play somewhere. You see roaming groups of kids. The parents are all OK with this, and sort of keep an eye on the kids when they are in their line of sight. For the most part, they are relatively well behaved. But these kids have also grown up in an environment where they think everything is communal property. Which made for some interesting experiences when we first moved in. Nothing like looking out your window and seeing a group of kids with pellet rifles staked out in your back yard shooting the birds you are feeding.....

We've got a 2 and 5 year old. Our 5 year old really, really wants to join in this but we don't let him. He goes and plays with the neighbors sometimes when they are outside, but there are rules set. One of which is that he stays in their yard.

 

[Schmoe]

Kruse wins this one. Period. It's just a matter of time, it will happen....kids....it's going to happen. I'd at least have a talk with the parents.

 

[Thermo1223]

This brings on an interesting point, soon the playground style swing set is going on in our yard and I am planning on removing the ugly chain link fence.

I foresee it being communal property

 

[JTK]

I hear you. My fleet is 12,10,9,2. We live in a more rural area, so most kids have to be driven over and it's tough to keep them outsite. It can be mayhem for sure. Just when I think my kids are "bad", I find other people's kids worse! LOL.

 

[antiqueshell]

Originally Posted By: Kruse


As already posted here, kids are tough and it's part of growing up. That is very true. But here is what COULD happen:
Little Johnny is on your property and ends up hurt or in the hospital. When they fill out the accident report, they then ask him how it happened. Little Johnny says that he got hurt playing in Mr. Eljefino's yard or or fell out of Mr. Eljefino's tree.
Mr. Eljefino then gets hit with a lawsuit and although he wins, his homeowner's insurance gets canceled.
Call me paranoid and go ahead and laugh, but I've seen it happen.


Agreed, do NOT let those children ride on YOUR children's bikes.