Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Elderly Parents and their neighbours

4 replies

PhoebeFriends · 13/04/2020 11:02

My parents (late 70s and early80s) are self isolating. I live 20 miles away. I’ve not seen them since lockdown but have arranged food deliveries and I phone daily.

Mums car battery has died through not driving for a while but as she can’t go out she’s leaving it. It makes her nervous as she feels more stranded knowing she can’t drive.

The neighbours have visitors daily. Usually adult grandchild but others arriving in various vehicles often staying for hours at a time. Some go in the house and others sit in the garden but when they come they park across my parents driveway (dropped curb, gates etc). So this makes my parents aware they have visitors (they are not sitting watching for them!)

The neighbours ignoring social distancing has bothered my dad for some time and on Saturday he had enough. A group had been sat on the shared wall between the houses all day so he shouted at them through the kitchen window- saying, don’t you watch the news, I’ll phone the police ..,

The neighbours and guests moved inside. Yesterday other visitors arrived (3 groups) and each time they parked across my parents drive, got out the car and stood and stared at my parents as if waiting to be challenged.

I have told my parents they could report the neighbours for not social distancing/ I will report if they prefer but they are adamant they don’t want this - my mum said the neighbours would then make their lives hell.

In that case I have said they should do their best to ignore them - as my mum and dad are not going any where a blocked driveway doesn’t matter at this time, they have told them they are in the wrong and they can’t do any more. AIBU or should I be doing more/ giving better advice? The group gathering makes me angry- the total disregard of others and the neighbours belief their social life is more important than the lives of the NHS staff makes me furious and sad but what do I do?

OP posts:
TestingTestingWonTooFree · 13/04/2020 11:04

You’re right. They either report or ignore. Getting worked up about it is pointless.

my2bundles · 13/04/2020 11:06

I would report it to the police stressing how this is having a negative longterm effect on your parents. Report every single time there is a repercussion. In my area tne police are taking this type of behaviour extremely seriously.

Chamomileteaplease · 13/04/2020 11:08

There's not much you can do. There will be lots of thick and selfish people all over the country, all over the world, who are not doing their bit by social distancing. You and your parents are powerless to stop it.

I would advise your parents to ignore it. Surely the only thing you could do is to report the neighbours and your parents have asked you not to. It's not affecting your parents directly is it? You can't change others' behaviour, only your reaction to it. The best thing would be for your parents to try not to get stressed about it.

PhoebeFriends · 13/04/2020 16:21

Thanks all the advice. I really appreciate the responses, it is helpful in helping me think straight.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread