Advice needed on ringing social services/overreaction debate

[reikizen]

One of my neighbours has a baby(about 9-12 months) but I have never seen any curtains open in the house since they moved in and I have never seen mum or baby since the summer despite seeing a light on ( a bare bulb) in the front room and hearing the baby crying occasionally. I am really twitched about it, what do you think I should do? I'm not suggesting there is a Baby P thing going on, but mayde she has agorophobia or something?

Could you knock on her door, ask if she's ok or needs any shopping done perhaps?

How about knocking on her door and inviting her over for coffee?

If not could you pop into your local GP surgery to have a word with the HV?

pop round and say hello

Have you tried knocking and seeing if they need anything?

I'd pop round on some pretext or other (got given something that you don't use and wondered if they can use it perhaps) and maybe ask her if there's anything you can do to help her out.

Not having the curtains open is neither here nor there, nor is not seeing them but her knowing that you are friendly and willing to offer help may make her feel a bit better.

If you know who her health visitor might be then you can ring them but they aren't always the most supportive of sources. Homestart may be a better bet for getting her some help.

Why not just knock on her door and introduce yourself properly? Did you do that when they moved in? Perfect time to invite her round for a christmas drink without appearing to be interferring.
I'd do that before I did anything else.

Ok thanks, I really don't want to cause trouble for them but rather wanted to help. We do give Christmas cards out on our avenue so that could be a good excuse. I wish I had knocked on when they moved in but due to the closed curtains scenario I didn't realise they wre in residence for a while! Thanks for the advice.

Hmm its tricky isn't it?

Why not stick Christmas card through the door saying something like you've been meaning to say hello to her as she's new to the area, you both have kids, etc etc. Something nice. Or knock when you deliver the card and say hi then.

I think if you pop round and say hello, and there ARE actual problems, she will not open up. I think the best approach if you really want to help her MIGHT be softly softly.

Odds are she is fine though. Maybe they just go out a lot?

yes I think you need to be at pains to show that you are NOT the local busybody. It depends on your area, which of course you are the best judge of. round here, people are friendly but knocking on door on a pretext is the preserve of women in curlers called ethel, who know everyone and everything about them.