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How to get kids to ignore neighbours in garden

92 replies

Shadycurtain · 08/05/2023 22:32

Hello,

Now that the weather is improving a bit we are out in the garden more. Next door neighbours 4 year old is driving me crazy as as soon as I open the back door he comes over to the hedge and shouts hello at us. My kids (6 and 3) reply every time 🙈 I don’t know how to get them to ignore him!! Inevitably they ask to play together but I don’t always have the time/energy to deal with an extra child, plus this child doesn’t play very well with my kids as he is too young to play what my eldest wants to play but a bit too old to play with my youngest for long, they all get frustrated with each other and it’s just a lot of effort to supervise.

I don’t mind him coming over occasionally, but having another kid over most days is doing my head in 🙈🙈 we are both home after school and it’s a daily issue.

Any tips on how to explain to my kids that we don’t talk to the neighbours when they are in their garden? Or how to get them to just say hello and not engage further? I find myself giving excuses eg “sorry, he can’t come over today as we are about to go to the shop” etc then I need to bundle the kids in the car and go to Asda for no real reason 🤣🙈 but I think this is confusing my kids as they just ask again the next day, and I’m just constantly giving them excuses.

OP posts:
Snoken · 09/05/2023 15:35

This is such a mean OP. My best friend growing up lived in the house nextdoor to me, and I played with almost all the other kids on the street too. We didn't need close supervision at that age, we just played in each others gardens or houses. Just let your kids navigate their own friendships and stop encouraging them to blank or lie to their friends.

wildinthecountry · 09/05/2023 15:35

Honestly OP you are in for a rough ride if you can't be bothered with children's friends , I feel sorry for both you and your children .

Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 18:57

HowToLearnToLoveMyself · 08/05/2023 23:52

Ignoring a 4yo is cruel.
Just let them talk.
If they ask to play ' sorry not today maybe next week' or similar.

I have tried this but it’s constant, so he shouts 5 mins later and asks again. This repeats until we go inside and close the door 🙈

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 18:58

ReadersD1gest · 08/05/2023 23:52

Why do they have to ignore him?!

If you have other ideas I’m all ears!

OP posts:
Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 18:59

NuffSaidSam · 08/05/2023 23:55

They don't need to ignore him.

If they ask for him to come over say 'no, we can't have people over every day after school, he can come on e.g. Wednesday'.

Thanks, this helps as explaining we can’t have people over every day is probably better than me just saying no

OP posts:
Hotfootgoose · 09/05/2023 19:00

Coyoacan · 09/05/2023 02:21

Why do have to supervise them when they are playing together?

They are 4, 3 and 6…

ReadersD1gest · 09/05/2023 19:01

Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 18:58

If you have other ideas I’m all ears!

Let them chat over the fence 😵‍💫

Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 19:03

LuluTaylor · 09/05/2023 02:41

Don't teach them to ignore him, first it's rude and second he's their friend! As they get older the age gap might not matter so much and they can socialise more successfully or the friendship might naturally fade as they get old enough to go out to be with other friends. Just say he can't come round today if he/yours asks. When you get the inevitable why, say you're busy - and don't tolerate any further questioning, you don't have to justify yourself. DC should respect their parents or a neighbour saying no without giving them a reason.

Thanks so yes when you say don’t tolerate any further questioning this is what I find hard, as the only way is to ignore him, as he will not stop shouting hello, can I come over, why not etc till we go in and shut the door

OP posts:
YukoandHiro · 09/05/2023 19:04

Why should they ignore him?!

I thought you were going to say your kids are bothering adults in the garden next door but kids chatting to each other through the fence is a lovely part of childhood

Napoleonsjosephine · 09/05/2023 20:20

Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 19:03

Thanks so yes when you say don’t tolerate any further questioning this is what I find hard, as the only way is to ignore him, as he will not stop shouting hello, can I come over, why not etc till we go in and shut the door

Then use your words, knock on the door and speak to the parent. You are not a child and ignoring a small child is not acceptable. You’re an adult. So adult. Speak to the parents and explain.

LuluTaylor · 10/05/2023 15:37

Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 19:03

Thanks so yes when you say don’t tolerate any further questioning this is what I find hard, as the only way is to ignore him, as he will not stop shouting hello, can I come over, why not etc till we go in and shut the door

The answer to why not is "because I said so". Stop negotiating and justifying to a 4yr old about how you want to live your life. Tell him firmly that you've already said no once, to stop asking to come over after he's been told no because it's rude.

If that doesn't stop him (and it might not) tell him that if he asks again, when he's already been told no several times, he won't be allowed to come over for the rest of the week/month. That gives him negative consequences for his nuisance behaviour. For that to work, you'll have to let him over/yours go over there occasionally. The threat of "taking away" something he never has anyway, won't work.

He's not being brought up to respect others boundaries (even if they're in the house I imagine his parents can hear him shouting - and they're not coming to see what's up), that doesn't mean you can't teach him to respect yours. It takes firmness and consistency, over a period of time. You're training him, essentially, possibly to do something he doesn't have to do with anyone else in his life at the moment - respect them. Don't expect him to learn the lesson overnight if everyone else around him is teaching him something different - that he can be a nuisance without consequences.

If he still keeps hassling you, tell him firmly again to stop asking. This time don't be friendly, be cross. You've already told him nicely, several times, now you're stepping it up. Then ignore, but don't go inside, get on with whatever you're doing. Otherwise you're teaching him that if you're in the garden, you're fair game.

Your DC don't have to ignore him, they can chat through the fence.

You can insist your own DC don't repeatedly ask you to have him over/go over his if you've already told them no that day. Get cross with them if they do keep repeatedly asking. Lay down what the consequences will be and follow through if they don't stop. Your own DC need to respect your decision too. In time, they'll learn to only ask once.

If he keeps hassling them to ask you (which you've already made clear to them will get them in trouble) they'll get fed up of him and start ignoring him anyway. Which is as it should be and different from the scenario proposed in your OP. It's not right to get them to ignore him so you can avoid having to be assertive. You do want them to learn to ignore someone who's trying to get them to do something that'll land them in trouble. If he's not getting a reaction from anyone on your side of the fence he should stop. He wants attention, if he's not getting it there's nothing in it for him. When someone is starved of attention, any attention will do even if it's negative attention eg a telling off.

If none of that works either, you'll have to go speak to his parents and ask them to keep a closer eye on him. If they're decent people they'll be mortified their DC is being a nuisance and will monitor him better and tell him off themselves if necessary. If they're arseholes who let him run wild and CBA to engage with him, nothing will change and I can only suggest earphones and a podcast/the radio when you go to do something in the garden, plus the installation of a 6 foot solid fence.

Napoleonsjosephine · 10/05/2023 15:51

The answer to why not is "because I said so". Stop negotiating and justifying to a 4yr old about how you want to live your life

god that takes me back, when parents felt it ok to say as I told you so, and not help a child understand, 😂

https://www.eightieskids.com/45-things-your-mum-said-to-you-whilst-growing-up/

AmandaHoldensLips · 10/05/2023 15:53

Tall trellis!!!!

Plant it with greenery and give yourselves more privacy.

As they say... strong fences make good neighbours.

Redebs · 10/05/2023 15:55

Riapia · 09/05/2023 04:19

Seems to be a rule peculiar to MN.
”All children to be kept under permanent supervision.”

Children do need supervision at that age

ReadersD1gest · 10/05/2023 15:55

Napoleonsjosephine · 10/05/2023 15:51

The answer to why not is "because I said so". Stop negotiating and justifying to a 4yr old about how you want to live your life

god that takes me back, when parents felt it ok to say as I told you so, and not help a child understand, 😂

https://www.eightieskids.com/45-things-your-mum-said-to-you-whilst-growing-up/

Op doesn't need to help someone else's child understand. Her preferred method of teaching her own children to ignore this kid is far nastier.

Redebs · 10/05/2023 16:01

Shadycurtain · 09/05/2023 19:03

Thanks so yes when you say don’t tolerate any further questioning this is what I find hard, as the only way is to ignore him, as he will not stop shouting hello, can I come over, why not etc till we go in and shut the door

Don't make any hints or promises of future playing together.

If he sometimes gets what he wants and sometimes doesn't, it's partial reinforcement, which is highly motivating to keep on and on.

When he asks, say that the grown-ups are the ones who arrange things.

Be bright with the 'hello', but if you're trying to relax or play with your own children, then it's ok to look away and tell him you're busy at the moment.

kierenthecommunity · 10/05/2023 16:35

My house is full of the neighbourhood urchins but my DS is a one and only so it’s nice for him to have pals.

One can be a bit persistent (the youngest of the group) but we tend to ask ‘does your mum or dad know you’re here’ (to which he’ll always say yes) so I ask him to go and get one. Then when they turn up say ‘ok so X is coming in to play with DS, are you ok with that? Shall I send him home in, what, an hour?’ or similar.

It’d be one CF of a parent who said no to that.

Then the kids get to play but it’s on our terms.

Fourpeasinapodcast · 10/05/2023 16:46

I had this one summer and it was relentless.

Hi Fourpeasinapodcast children!
Hi Andrew
What you doing?
Playing with my toys.
Can I come over?
MUM! Can Andrew come over?
No, Andrew was over yesterday, he can come over another day.
Why can't I come today?
Because you were here yesterday Andrew and you can come another day.
But why not today?
Because Jane and Sean are just playing with each other today.
I will go and ask my Mum......

Mum says I can come over.
No Andrew, I told you that you cannot come over today, maybe another day in the week.
But why?
Because I told you, Jane and Sean are just playing themselves today.
I won't kick Sean today.
No Andrew, another day but not today.
Why?
Why?
Can I come over?
Jane your Mum is a meanie, ask her again can I come over.
Sean, I want to play with your ball, can I come over.
I am coming over now.
Hello, can I come over?

Cue Andrew's mother comes out...can he come over to yours or else he is going to keep asking and he is doing my nut in! (small tinkly laugh).

Me...Awhhh Hi Pauline, Jane and Sean can go into Andrew if you like and they can play.

God no! Sure I have too much to be doing...

Me....No worries, Andrew can come over another day.

Andrew's mother storms off and leaves Andrew shouting over the wall for the duration that we were in the garden.

We learned to ignore him, it was the only way.

Shadycurtain · 10/05/2023 16:49

Thanks for the ideas, will try some of these!

Regarding the parents, they know he does this and encourage it. They frequently invite my kids over but the issue is they fill my kids with sugar (think 1 share size pack of haribo each, plus biscuits, plus cake), have no schedule/rules, and encourage the kids to stay for hours. This doesn’t suit me as my children are used to a routine, plus they eat proper meals at home without any coaxing so I’d much rather they were here eating a balanced meal
rather than over there eating rubbish. They come back strung out and grouchy, so I now say no to the invites to have my two over there regularly.

The parents seem to want a “come and go” situation between our houses where my kids and their child can come and go as they please between our two houses 😬 I have never once agreed to this and I wish they’d take a hint rather than me having to explicitly say to them that I don’t want this arrangement.

the other issue is that their child has some mild additional support needs, they are being held back from starting reception because of this. Socially he doesn’t grasp rules/turn taking so can’t play well without an adult helping him to join in a game. In terms of personal care he cant take care of his own bathroom needs so requires help to go to the loo (I have to wipe his bum when he is here).

I WFH around my own kids and that works out fine as they can play together or entertain themselves, but it doesn’t work when an extra kid that needs their bum wiped and support to play is thrown into the mix and I’m trying to answer work emails or prepare dinner etc 😬

OP posts:
Backtonormalatlast · 10/05/2023 16:57

Gtsr443 · 09/05/2023 08:05

Your poor kids.
The world really is going to shit.
So glad I grew up at a time when children could just play together without parents being weird.

Yep totally agree!!

LuluTaylor · 10/05/2023 16:58

Napoleonsjosephine · 10/05/2023 15:51

The answer to why not is "because I said so". Stop negotiating and justifying to a 4yr old about how you want to live your life

god that takes me back, when parents felt it ok to say as I told you so, and not help a child understand, 😂

https://www.eightieskids.com/45-things-your-mum-said-to-you-whilst-growing-up/

He's not her child. She doesn't owe him personal development, that's his parents job.

LuluTaylor · 10/05/2023 17:09

Regarding the parents, they know he does this and encourage it.

I suspected as much. They're using you/your DC as free childcare/entertainment for their DC. If you don't want it then go straight to the 6' fence and earphones solution. How much is their DC having additional needs and how much is just having a bad diet and lack of parental involvement from parents who themselves don't respect others? You see the effects on your DC after just one visit of a few hours, imagine the effects on him after a lifetime of it 24/7. Don't feel bad about cutting ties, he's not your responsibility.

Be too busy to chat to the parents and keep the family at arms length if you don't like them. You probably will have to tell them it's not working for you at least once. You don't have to explain more than that, just keep repeating it in the face of any questions. You can't avoid being assertive all your life. Also set your boundaries around work, you're not available for childcare at those times. As you say yours entertain themselves, the neighbors child needs looking after.

Fourpeasinapodcast · 10/05/2023 17:11

Socially he doesn’t grasp rules/turn taking so can’t play well without an adult helping him to join in a game. In terms of personal care he cant take care of his own bathroom needs so requires help to go to the loo (I have to wipe his bum when he is here)

Not a bloody hope would I be dealing with that.

lostinmaze · 10/05/2023 17:21

Oh wow op is getting a lot of flack for not wanting to have another child under her care all the time, it's enough having her own. I totally understood where she's coming from when she says she feels like she needs to be more on the ball when you're have other people's kids in your care, and it would totally annoy me if I had this every day too. As for needing supervision, they are only young so of course they need supervision! If that was me in your shoes op it would be driving me nuts too, and I think I'd have to do what some of the pp posters have said, be pleasant but firm when you tell them it's not a play date today, rinse and repeat. Don't see why you would have to commit to a certain time or day each week/month either as someone has suggested, you're not free child care and you don't owe anyone anything, just let them play when it suits you and that's that. I'm glad I don't have neighbours anymore, I like my peace and privacy too much.

Napoleonsjosephine · 10/05/2023 17:51

lostinmaze · 10/05/2023 17:21

Oh wow op is getting a lot of flack for not wanting to have another child under her care all the time, it's enough having her own. I totally understood where she's coming from when she says she feels like she needs to be more on the ball when you're have other people's kids in your care, and it would totally annoy me if I had this every day too. As for needing supervision, they are only young so of course they need supervision! If that was me in your shoes op it would be driving me nuts too, and I think I'd have to do what some of the pp posters have said, be pleasant but firm when you tell them it's not a play date today, rinse and repeat. Don't see why you would have to commit to a certain time or day each week/month either as someone has suggested, you're not free child care and you don't owe anyone anything, just let them play when it suits you and that's that. I'm glad I don't have neighbours anymore, I like my peace and privacy too much.

That’s absolutely not why she’s got flack. It’s because she wanted to teach her kids to ignore the little child rather than speak to the parents and deal with it like a grown up

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