Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is neglect?

29 replies

AnneTwackie · 23/06/2021 20:11

New renting neighbours moved into our quiet city de sac last month. At first we thought their 3 kids (2,7 & 8) were charming as they’d always be outside playing, say hello and have a little chat with us. Lately we’ve noticed they are out front an hour before school and often still out playing at 9pm. The parents appear to be at home but never supervising, there is a sharp corner to our road and the 2 year old will scooter in the road there. The two year old is sometimes left for an hour playing by herself, when I’ve been out to check on her she tries to get me to play but no parent appears, anyone could take her.
The oldest often looks sad just walking around the pavements looking down and the middle child will rush over when I come out, often asking where my husband is by name and acting too grown up, asking if she can look after my baby etc.
I’ve spoken to mum in passing but didn’t really like her, she seems quite pushy and difficult to talk to.
What would you do?
Raise your concerns for the little one’s safety with the parents? Surely they know it’s dangerous though?
Report it? Who to?
Pop an anonymous letter through?

OP posts:
Cissyandflora · 24/06/2021 08:04

Report this for the children’s sake. We all have a responsibility when it comes to safeguarding.

BarbarianMum · 24/06/2021 08:43

Another one saying report. I'm all for children playing out at a younger age than is usually permitted these days but a 2 year old? That's outrageous!

AliceLivesHere · 24/06/2021 11:31

Google safeguarding children @AnneTwackie

There is a contact number or form so you can fill in easily. You won't forgive yourself if you do nothing and harm comes to one of these very young children.

AnneTwackie · 24/06/2021 19:04

Thanks everyone, the family in question are fairly well off and I think it’s my own prejudice that stopped me thinking of it as clear and simple neglect but of course it is. I’ve reported it to my council safeguarding team, one of my neighbours said she recently had a near miss driving her car round the bad corner when the child was in the road so I might not be the only one.

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