To be concerned about my neighbours?

[Lynn981]

My neighbours are a young couple with a toddler. I normally seem them but I haven’t for 3 days now. All their lights and curtains hahe been drawn but their cars are still on the drive and haven’t moved. Or am I over thinking? It just seems a bit unusual. We are rural and you can’t really get to anywhere without a car, not even local shop. Also they’re not abroad or anything, as I actually spoke to the lady neighbour the other day and she said someone from the council was meant to be coming round

Your mind can easily be put at rest, just by knocking at the door. Maybe under the pretext of borrowing something, like milk etc. I wouldn’t be telling them why you’re knocking, as it may make them paranoid that they’re being observed 24/7.

Actually just remembered a neighbour of my friend - they disappeared overnight in a cloud of smoke. Big house with several kids, dogs etc. turned out they were in a witness protection scheme…

I had to shout out my window today to a delivery driver that a neighbour had moved house and obviously forgotten to update their details.

I would check SM if you know their names, that might give you answers, if you aren't able to do this then I would go round this morning and knock to see if you get any response. Like someone else said they might have a ring doorbell and be able to answer you from where ever they are.

Yes, it's just better all round if we're aware and help each other. I was very grateful when a neighbour of my Aunt rang to tell me that she'd not drawn back her curtains all day, turned out she'd fallen.

That's awful. Thank goodness you didn't 🙏

I would give a knock and be honest. Don’t make up an excuse. Just say hadn’t seen you and wanted to check all’s okay?

YANBU to go and knock. You're a good neighbour and in no way is checking on them the wrong option

Knock on the door and ask if they are OK

Depair of what we have become.

YANBU, but I have to admit I wouldn't do anything. You do you though, knocking pretending you've lost your parcel and asking whether they have seen it would be a good idea, just to see if they are at home.

I knocked on my bedroom window and waved to what I thought was the deliveroo driver (it was my neighbours teen on a moped). Cue my lovely neighbour and her lad at my door worried I was signalling cos I was being attacked or something.

I was so thrilled to live somewhere where the neighbours cared. We are three single women all in a row, and its nice we are vigilant for each others safety.

Last week I went on hols - told neighbours both sides i was away. I came back early and one neighbour went to other as she could 'hear noises in mine' and then she messaged to check it was me. And then the other came round to check in on me in person. I thought it was cute.

I love that we all look out for each other. Its awesome. Go check on them OP. Even if it turns out to be nothing Im sure they will be thrilled to have caring neighbours. I know I am.

can I blame baby brain, I didn’t even check the time the OP wrote the first post 😂

That's so nice!

This. Away on a term time, cheaper holiday. Dog in kennels, taxi to airport/station.
Knock if you’re concerned, though.

You sound lovely @Lynn981, concerned for your neighbours. I do hope all is ok
and they are just off on holidays. But I would definitely check.
Many years ago I was worried about an older work colleague. She hadn’t turned up for work, lived alone and it was very unlike her not to ring in that she wouldn’t be at work. We had a new boss who didn’t know her or how conscientious she was. I hunted down a number for her sister who lived miles away.
She had had a stroke. 🥲
Fortunately she made a recovery but never returned to work.

Any update OP?
I'm worried about them now!!

If you're still concerned after knocking them up OP (no update today), the child will be registered with a health visitor presumably so you could give that service a call and ask if they have any way of contacting the parents - bound to have a mobile number, to make a quick welfare call, ideally in the guise of something else. I understand how awkward it would be if they were just away on a break but they would understand your concerns, hopefully, and do it discreetly.

They went on holiday? Didn't want to park car at airport/car too small/broken so got a lift or taxi to nearest station or airport?

Young families don't just drop off the planet.

I agree with pps that they are probably away, but I would also knock on the door.
Do you have any mutual friends you could ask ?

A watchful neighbour alerted us to the fact that my Mum had a parcel on the doorstep all day. Mum had fallen and would have died if she’d been left much longer. I am so grateful that this lady was aware of my Mum and that she lived alone. She gave me five more years with my Mum.

Why not? And why lie?

Exactly this, if I was genuinely concerned I would say otherwise justifying by lying makes me think it was not genuine

Maybe they got a taxi to the airport for a holiday in the sun. Dog is in boarding kennels.

But it's lovely that you've noticed and are concerned.

It's a shame that we have become so insular and don't know our neighbours well enough to just let them know if you're going away, just so they can keep an eye out. Maybe not possible if it was an emergency midnight flit though.

Hope all is ok with your neighbours.