To be concerned for these children

[StrawberryTiger]

For a while now DH and I have been concerned about 2 children that live near us, and would welcome some advice. I'm completely open to the fact that we may be being unreasonable.

I'm a semi regular poster (naice ham, rosepettel, yoni massage etc) who has name changed for this. Apologies if this is long, I don't want to drip feed.

DH and I live in a large estate on the edge of town. There is one busy access road in, with many roads leading off this, which are quieter. We live on one of these side roads.

Opposite us live a family with 2 boys. DS1 is 10 and DS2 is 4. The parents have always given them a lot of freedom, but I am now worrying that it is bordering on neglect.

For example, they are allowed to play out

Yes, absolutely make a call. Poor boys.

Good for you for caring about it though. Many people wouldn't bother

I would make they phone call, all too often people talk themselves out of doing anything and explain things away.

If there is no harm being done SS will find this out. The family may already be known to SS or others may haves already phoned and your telephone call is the one which makes SS act.

If everyone relies on someone else to do something tragedies can occur.

It may be nothing but you have witnessed enough first hand to be worried. If people talk to their kids like this in public they may be doing/saying much worse in private.

Please make that call.....

Call them. Call someone.

Unfortunately when I lived with my parents we grew up next to a family like this. They had 3 boys aged 5,3 and 2. They were always out the front, barely clothed, sometimes even looking for food! We used to go out and give them what we could - trying to give them fruit, crisps, drinks, cereal bars - but u have to be careful not to cross a line.

Police were at the door on and off for over 2 years as the mum was into drugs. We called social services over and over again about our concerns but they just kept a 'record' of it.

Eventually all 3 boys were taken away and we know through friends that they all got placed with the same family and now (5 years later) are all happy, have been adopted by the family, are all healthy, doing well in school and have even been on a couple of holiday.

It made us feel so helpless when we used to see the way they lived but it's nice to know how happy they are now.

You must phone SS, imagine what could happen if no action is taken. You will have done the right thing.

YANBU OP. Poor boys. Give the NSPCC a call for advice and put your mind at rest, if nothing else. At least then you know you've done something.

You are absolutely right to be concerned. Personally I would not call SS as I have found them useless in the past. If they have been left alone or have been found wandering about you should call the police.

You are entirely reasonable to be concerned. It sounds horrible.

I think you should call the NSPCC helpline and discuss your concerns with them.

Thanks everyone for the advice. The problem DH and I have is that's the way the family always are, so we're starting to see it as normal. This thread has reiterated to me that it isn't.

I felt really sorry for DS1 yesterday as he obviously needed comfort and no one was there except me, and he really needed his mum or dad.

It's a strange situation. Materially they get what they need, but they get virtually no attention from their parents at all. Quite often if their DF is in, they aren't allowed in the house.

I'll make a call to the NSPCC this week.