Neighbours keep asking for favours!

[Popcornlassie28]

My husband and I live in a village around 15 minutes from the local shops etc. We currently have two children and I’m pregnant with our third. We both work (I work shifts) and I’m also studying at uni so I’m always constantly busy being a mother, at work or as a student.

My neighbours are middle aged with no children. One drives and the other doesn’t. Recently due to medical reasons the one who drives has had to stop driving until a health clear.

Since then, I will be home with the children before/after school, getting ready for work or coming off a night shift that morning and SO ready to sleep and my neighbour will come knocking asking to be taken to work often because she’s ’missed the bus’, ‘bus doesn’t run at this time’ etc. They do not take no for an answer and she will return two, three times plus until I answer as she knows I’m home as my car is in the driveway. She is very forceful.

I haven’t minded up until this point helping where we can but it’s getting a bit much. There is never any offer for fuel money either and it’s a 30 minute round trip to drop her to where she needs to go.

In the warmer weather, they will put their heads over the fence while I’m relaxing in my garden to ask for things and ask my children ‘Go and grab Mummy/Daddy’ so they can ask for more lifts/favours. My garden should be a safe haven where my children can play and we should relax without being bothered? Or am I wrong here? I would knock the front door and if they don’t answer I wouldn’t dream of being that pushy.

I have been polite to keep the peace but they are now asking my husband to give lifts at 8am into work on Sunday morning as ‘bus isn’t running’ and even though I’m pregnant ‘Can you pick up the 2 litre bottles of water from the shop for me? They are heavy for me to carry on the bus’. My husband is saying it’s going too far and to start pushing back and being forceful with her.

How can I be forceful but polite? Am I being unreasonable? I am terrified when the baby comes she will be banging the door down to be taken out when I’ve just got them settled and I don’t want to fall out but I know I will lose my temper at this point.

I wouldn't have answered the door .

Please please stick to your guns.

I would rather her give me evil looks and a horrible atmosphere, then give her bloody lifts everywhere!

There’s things we all can/can’t do. You don’t go asking your neighbors over and over again.

Mental.

Stay strong! Never do a favour again please.

I've posted in this thread already but drawn back again. Please don't give excuses because they imply that otherwise you would be happy to oblige.

The mothers day fiasco has given you a great opportunity to blanket no from now on. The very next time she starts asking, interrupt with
"I'm sorry neighbour but I do need to let you know that I am very upset about last Sunday. Asking a favour is one thing. Then asking again is really unfair as it puts me in an uncomfortable position. Banging on my door however at 8am to request a favour I've already declined on a Sunday is unforgivable, it's the only chance I get to sleep all week. The fact it was mother's day and you still did that astounds me. I'm afraid I will be saying no to all and any favours from now on so please don't waste your time asking. DH and I have been very helpful to you both and I don't appreciate being taken for granted like this. Don't ask again."

Calmly and slowly delivered.

I am astounded at the existence of someone this cheeky. Astounded. In my head, I think I would say all sorts of things to her but in reality I would be dumbstruck and perhaps looking around for the hidden camera because surely this woman is not for real.

I would also be dumbstruck, but when I had collected myself I would make an excuse, shut the conversation down & avoid her thereafter. I would never actually comply with any of her outrageous demands

Short of news of an alien invasion, anyone who wakes me up at 8am on a Sunday is taking their life in their hands. I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation in being extraordinarily unpleasant about it - and neither should you. It's disgraceful behaviour and she does it because she can get away with it.

Some people can be relentless and selfish to the extreme! Very unfair on you, are they always used to being waited on and have their own way? Defo time to say look I'm extremely busy, pregnant, don't feel well and am getting stressed by all the favours you're asking me. I just can't do them so please stop now! If still too thick skinned don't answer door and put a 'do not disturb' sign up. Xx

I wouldn't be letting aliens get away with it either. I would be telling them exactly where they can stick their probes, the cheeky green bastards.

Just wondered how it was going OP? Has she taken the hint yet?

🤣🤣🤣

We all need an update on this one!!

Jeeze…. Give OP a break will you? She’s still finishing the patio.

Can you install a tannoy system that blasts out “go away, go away, go away” repeatedly from massive speakers on the front of your house that you can activate if she rings the doorbell.