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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Concerned about neighbours kids

17 replies

riceepops · 21/09/2025 22:17

I am a bit concerned about my neighbours two children aged 5 and 7.

Since the youngest was 4 the kids play out unsupervised for hours.

They don’t play outside their house, they play a good 5 - 10 minute walk away.

I was coming back today and saw them playing in the middle of the main road a good 10 minutes away from there house.

As soon as school finishes they are out playing, and go inside about 8pm.

Weekend’s are the same (apart from when they go to their dad EOW).

I can’t help feel abit concerned.

I have 2 kids under 4 and I wouldn’t feel
comfortable/ be allowing them to play unsupervised at 5 and 7.
Is this the norm?

I have heard the mum really shout at them in the house quite a few times.

Maybe I am just being over reacting, just wanted some input really as I can’t help feel sorry for them.

OP posts:
olderandnonthewiser · 21/09/2025 22:25

If you are genuinely concerned about their welfare you should report to social care.
You have no idea who else may be reporting concerns (inc school, GP, HV) but you can only add to a picture.

Original poster
riceepops · 21/09/2025 22:50

@olderandnonthewiserThank you, would that come under social services?

OP posts:
Getagrip22 · 21/09/2025 22:53

You can make a annonamous safeguarding referal online, if you type your county and safeguarding online it should come up.

FuzzyWolf · 21/09/2025 22:55

In my opinion that’s too young and too far to be out playing unsupervised. I would also be concerned and would report.

AlwaysHopefull89 · 21/09/2025 22:56

Report

SparklingRivers · 21/09/2025 22:57

Are your children old enough to play with them? When our eldest was younger 2 girls nearby seemed to have a similar situation. Out in all weather, same clothes day after day, always asking for snacks etc.
I, and neighbours, did mention concerns to school, no idea what happened but nothing changed.
We ultimately ended up having them over often, giving them snacks after school, and another 2 neighbours with children did the same.

Obviously depends on whether you're willing to, but children like that are usually in need of a wider village of support if services dont decide to intervene. There is a grey area where children dont meet the threshold for removal but also arent having their needs met at home.

VikaOlson · 21/09/2025 23:08

Were they really in the middle of the main road? I'm surprised no one called the police!

PastaAllaNorma · 21/09/2025 23:08

It's worth contacting the safeguarding lead at their primary school to flag concerns. They will be able to build a picture of the situation if concerns are raised.

Muffsies · 21/09/2025 23:12

If you've noticed there's a possibility others have too, and you never know what sort of weirdos are around. And what if one of them had an accident, how would the other cope with that? They're just not old enough to take care of themselves if something went wrong. Their mother definately needs investigating if she thinks that's acceptable.

Original poster
riceepops · 21/09/2025 23:20

I did feel that it was way too young for them to play out unsupervised.

The kids also ride their bikes without a helmet in the road which concerns me.

The kids will also be in the same clothes.
The mum just literally sits in her house and only calls them in when it’s time to go in.

My kids are 2 and 4, they don’t play out with the other kids as I feel they are too young to be playing in the street unsupervised.

OP posts:
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 22/09/2025 08:40

VikaOlson · 21/09/2025 23:08

Were they really in the middle of the main road? I'm surprised no one called the police!

Yes this, they play in the middle of a main road?

Swiftie1878 · 22/09/2025 08:43

Please report to their Primary School safeguarding lead. Today.

limescale · 22/09/2025 08:54

Of course it’s not the norm for anyone, least of all young children, to play in the middle of the main road!

Tropicana46 · 22/09/2025 08:54

If it was just the shouting I wouldn't think too much of it but yes they're far too young to be playing out alone. I would report.

Rosie2019anne · 26/09/2025 05:23

How do U know the children ages of neighbours as you do , cause to know this information you must have some kind interaction with the parents so why don't you show the concerns to them first? I's it a main road or a road you live on as a cul du sac etc cause if I saw young kids on main road 1 I would be trying to remove them to safety and 2 if didn't know the children though being a neighbour call the police so if this is the case surely many people have called social services and police as by what you have said it sounds like a on going situation .

ForNoisyCat · 07/10/2025 06:59

riceepops · 21/09/2025 22:17

I am a bit concerned about my neighbours two children aged 5 and 7.

Since the youngest was 4 the kids play out unsupervised for hours.

They don’t play outside their house, they play a good 5 - 10 minute walk away.

I was coming back today and saw them playing in the middle of the main road a good 10 minutes away from there house.

As soon as school finishes they are out playing, and go inside about 8pm.

Weekend’s are the same (apart from when they go to their dad EOW).

I can’t help feel abit concerned.

I have 2 kids under 4 and I wouldn’t feel
comfortable/ be allowing them to play unsupervised at 5 and 7.
Is this the norm?

I have heard the mum really shout at them in the house quite a few times.

Maybe I am just being over reacting, just wanted some input really as I can’t help feel sorry for them.

If you know what school they attend you could report to them, and they will take it to social services. The mother must be really struggling and intervention could really help all of them.

mamagogo1 · 07/10/2025 07:02

The kids all played out where I lived when mind were tiny, yes at 5&7, but it wasn’t a through road

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