Neighbours kids in our house - 2 hours, no sign of parents

coxesorangepippin · 2023-10-01T19:45:44+00:00

So my son (9, he's 10 in December ) is friends with a lad (same age as my D's) who lives fairly close to us - around 500 yards away. This lad is also friends with another boy who lives next door to him - the child is 6. These two boys showed up at our house and have so far been here in our playroom for two hours. No sign or message from the parents. No prior conversation to arrange this whatsoever. Which is fine, as I know the 9 years old's mother, but the younger boy I don't really know at all. Aibu or what?!? We could be total maniacs and the kids are here for two hours.... (Especially the younger one, are they not wondering where he is?!)

NewNameforanOldLady · 01/10/2023 20:47

Ring the parents. They might be out looking for them and absolutely frantic.

ItWasntMyFault · 01/10/2023 20:47

I agree, they need to let their parents know where they are

SarahLKelp · 01/10/2023 20:48

I'd call the parents too.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 01/10/2023 20:48

Did you ask the children, where do your parents think you are? I wouldn’t let a random 6yr old in my house.

I imagine he’s meant to be being watched by he elder boys parents.

plumtreebroke · 01/10/2023 20:49

Do you have contact details? Contact parents.

Edit: They may have said where they are going, but your DC may not have told you.

Edit: Whatever others say you can't just leave/put a six year old on the street. How would you feel if that went really bad?

MidnightOnceMore · 01/10/2023 20:50

I wouldn't allow them in if the parents weren't aware, I think you need to contact the parents.

Wakeywake · 01/10/2023 20:54

This one's on you, OP. The parents are probably frantic by now. Take the children home.

Original poster

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 20:57

Just spoke to Ds and he said that the parents said to both boys they need to be back home for dinner... at 5.15pm (we live abroad). So both parents of the two boys are aware of where they are. If they stay that long they'll have been here for four hours.

It's a level of entitlement/ assumed trust that absolutely amazes me.

The little one is only 6?!?!

OP posts:

ThePoshUns · 01/10/2023 20:58

As soon as they arrived I'd have asked them both if their parents knew they were at your house? If not I'd have text other boys parents straight away

Original poster

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 20:59

As a pp said, eldest neighbour is in change/ supervising the little one

Madness all round

OP posts:

ThePoshUns · 01/10/2023 20:59

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 20:57

Just spoke to Ds and he said that the parents said to both boys they need to be back home for dinner... at 5.15pm (we live abroad). So both parents of the two boys are aware of where they are. If they stay that long they'll have been here for four hours.

It's a level of entitlement/ assumed trust that absolutely amazes me.

The little one is only 6?!?!

Send them out to play then

Original poster

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 20:59

Parent of oldest boy deffo not frantic as she has my number and my phone hasn't made a sound

OP posts:

Poppyblush · 01/10/2023 20:59

niether should be out at this time!!!

Original poster

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 21:03

Poppy, we're abroad it's only 4pm

OP posts:

MidnightOnceMore · 01/10/2023 21:06

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 20:59

As a pp said, eldest neighbour is in change/ supervising the little one

Madness all round

You're playing a role in the madness, it's not happening to you!

HerMammy · 01/10/2023 21:06

Their parents likely assume they're playing out, 2 hrs isn't long.

SmokedCheese · 01/10/2023 21:14

Send them home if you do t want them

Dolly567 · 01/10/2023 21:19

I always tell my sons friends on the street to go tell their mum or dad fist before coming in

UngratefulOldCabbage · 01/10/2023 21:21

The bit about you being abroad needs to be in your initial post OP - it's 9.20pm in the UK and a lot of replies will be based on that, not your extra post saying your abroad and it's only 4pm there

Original poster

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 22:08

So both boys have now left - DS biked them to their houses - parents didn't seem concerned they'd been out all afternoon
🤔

Maybe it's me overreacting

OP posts:

Agapornis · 01/10/2023 22:12

So you're in the Americas - cultural differences? Can think of a few places this wouldn't be unusual for a Sunday afternoon.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 01/10/2023 22:18

Stealth babysitting! We had a neighbour who used to send her child over and after a couple of hours it turned out they'd gone out. Without asking! It isn't on.

Original poster

coxesorangepippin · 01/10/2023 22:18

Yes in Canada

I think I'm overreacting

But the little one is only 6?!?!

OP posts:

arethereanyleftatall · 01/10/2023 22:19

It seems you now realise that the parents are chill about it...but op...you weren't to know that two hours ago- so if a 6 yr old turns up uninvited at your house you don't just blooming we'll sit there judging the parents and making threads in the hope that others will join you in slagging them off - you blooming well phone them/go round to there house to check they know!!! They might have been frantically searching! I think you're not understanding that yes indeed, most parents would not allow a 6 year old fo do that; you also have a safeguarding role to play for all children.

Fleabane · 01/10/2023 22:22

arethereanyleftatall · 01/10/2023 22:19

It seems you now realise that the parents are chill about it...but op...you weren't to know that two hours ago- so if a 6 yr old turns up uninvited at your house you don't just blooming we'll sit there judging the parents and making threads in the hope that others will join you in slagging them off - you blooming well phone them/go round to there house to check they know!!! They might have been frantically searching! I think you're not understanding that yes indeed, most parents would not allow a 6 year old fo do that; you also have a safeguarding role to play for all children.

Why is it her fault?