They live a couple of (quiet) streets away. I know their mum to speak to in passing at the school gate, but they've never been particularly friendly with my DC.
They will go into yrs 4 & 5 tomorrow. This summer they've been "playing out" from c. 9am - 9pm. Part of me likes that, far better than at home with the play station etc but I have a couple of concerns.
They've knocked for my 2 on a regular basis (sometimes at 8pm). My 2 DC Yr 3 & 5 are very happy about this and they've played well together - they are nice boys, but mine are in bed by 8pm and not allowed out after 7pm. This has been explained several time but they keep coming.
They always come here - my 2 aren't "allowed" to go to their house, Not sure if that comes from the boys or their parents. It suits me as I'd rather have them here TBH, but something doesn't seem right.
They don't seem to get fed, are always hungry and never have to be home for mealtimes. I have given them bits (usually fruit or crisps) but don't really see it as my place to give meals to uninvited (although welcome) visitors. Also don't want to cut across any meals that may be planned at home, I wouldn;t give any other child more than a snack unless it had been pre arranged with their mum. Plus I know the older one has some fairly serious food issues, as he's been to a couple of DS1' birthday party and couldn't have meat or dairy. Occasionally one has announced he's going home for lunch and reappeared 10 min later with a bag of crisps. Recently they appeared at the door asking is my DCs could go to the shops with them (20 min cycle across some busy roads) I said no so they went on their own and came back to mine to share the chocolate and crisps they bought for "lunch" with mine. Mine had eaten, so I let it go, but didn't really feel it appropriate. Must have had £10 to spend. They don't look hungry though and are well turned out.
The parents have split recently (learnt this from my DCs) and they seem to be spending most of the time at the family home with their Dad. When mum is around they're on a tighter leash.
Gosh , this is long.I guess my concerns are:
- for the boys' safety and care
-The impact on my family with the food and the unscheduled visits
-whether I should do /say anything.
-Whether I should be offering them meals
Despite the fact that his DC have spent a lot of their summer at my house, the father has never been in touch and I wouldn't recognise him if I saw him