permanent arguments due to what neighbourhood kids are allowed to do.

[ditavonteesed]

driving me bonkers, we come in for tea at around 6 and then I dont like them going out again as I want them to wind down and do homework and guitar practice etc. neigbourhood kids permanently knocking on the door despite being told this many times. I then feel really mean for not letting my 2 play. Ongoing issues with one chhild being allowed out all the time and being at houses where the parents have no idea and havent even met us. this particular child called yesterday when my girls werent here, neither was I, dh was here doing some studying, she asked if she could come in anyway obviously dh said no, then asked if she could play in our garden, again dh said no. I send kids home when we are eating as I dont want an audience and like a bit of time with the dds on my own, discovered none of the neighbours do this. Also I dont feed other children and I would like mine not to be fed I like to have contrl over what they eat around dinner time but despite being told repeatly they continue to take food.Anyway nothing to say really just wanted to rant, AIBU to make my kids stay in after tea and to send other kids away when we eat?

[Numberlock]

Just ignore the knocking after 6, they'll soon get the message.

I agree with you by the way.

[Flyonthewindscreen]

Definitely YANBU re not having other people's DC sitting watching you eat or other parents feeding your kids at mealtimes without checking with you first. I always send my DC's friends home at mealtimes (unless I have arranged with their parents that it is ok for them to have lunch/tea with us in advance).

Around here DC of my DC age (9 & 11) tend to play out until 8ish at this time of year so having friends who were never allowed out after 6 would be unusual but if you are consistent in telling their friends they are not coming out surely they will get the message eventually? I have toyed with idea of getting sign made "Kamer's DS & DD are not playing out right now, please don't knock" but have never done it as would be considered a loon!

I am driven mad by the continual banging on door/phone ringing every night after school/weekends and dream of a remote country home. My DC would be devastated though!

[KatyN]

When I was growing up, we lived on a really sociable street and when we had dinner, my dad used to put a notice up on the door that said 'katy and sarah are having their tea and not coming out to play'.

I assume he took it off when we went to bed, but I've no idea. No one thought he was odd.. that was just how we worked.