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Parenting

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Who (if anyone) should I tell about this?

18 replies

ConcernedNeighbour17 · 28/09/2017 21:27

Family and I moved to this area two years ago. It's pretty rural, down a private lane that we share with one other house which is about 20 metres away from ours. Family in other house seemed lovely - they had a boy a year older than my boy (my boy now 5) and we have both since had dc2's - mine is nearly 2 theirs about 18mo. They were always polite but really kept themselves to themselves and we saw very little of them. My ds has asd and always found their ds quite overwhelming. She was really ill when pregnant with dc2 but never wanted any help (I offered to walk her ds to school, round to play etc always declined). I thought it was a shame we didn't see them more as they did seem lovely but some people are introverts so I left them to it.

In July the husband died in fairly shocking circumstances. The wife and two dc's immediately left to stay with her dc's in Scotland (we're SE England). They returned just before start of term. The wife's dm wrote me a letter (guess she didn't have my number) to say when they were coming back. I had spare keys so went round and did a quick hoover and put some flowers in a case. After they'd been back a few hours I knocked on the door and offered to do all sorts of things (my overriding memory of my dads death is lots of people coming round offering non specific help which you then feel awkward asking for). She just looked so broken. No facial expression whatsoever, lost shedloads of weight. She didn't say anything just looked completely blank and shut the door on me. I've seen the older boy a couple of times at school and he also looks unkempt and just, sad. All this is awful and to be expected when something like this happens I guess, but she seems to be completely on her own here. There's never any cars of visitors in her drive and it's not really walkable from many places.

Anyway, last night I heard her screaming 'I fucking hate you' and 'don't even fucking look at me' again and again. She had a window open but there house is about 20 metres away so she was flat out screaming. It must have been at kids as no pets. Then tonight I heard her screaming again 'go to bed, go to bed, go to fucking bed' and then just sobbing and sobbing.

I feel so sad for her. I mentioned to the school this morning that she seemed to be struggling but they seemed to brush me of a bit as if I was trying to get gossip or something. Should I call SS? I really don't want to get her in trouble or anything but I look at my little boys and the thought of them losing dh and then having me screaming at them just breaks my heart. Should I try talking to her again?

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ConcernedNeighbour17 · 28/09/2017 21:28

Sorry for all the typos and sorry it's so long!

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custardlover · 28/09/2017 21:30

Oh god this is heartbreaking, those poor children and that poor woman. Can you try her again? Offer a play date for the children so she can have some time to herself? Can you speak to her mother again?

smileyhappypeople · 28/09/2017 21:32

You should speak to the school again, schedule a proper meeting with safeguarding abd/or head teacher and discuss it and you should definitely contact ss... they will be able to get her some help. I'm sure her screaming at the children is just a result of her grief but she clearly needs help.

user1493413286 · 28/09/2017 21:35

Do you have her mothers address from when she wrote to you? If so could you write to her? If not I’d be more specific with the school about what you’ve heard and see what support they can offer.

ItsAHardKn0ckLife1 · 28/09/2017 21:35

This is heartbreaking Sad

Could you maybe have a word with a health visitor?

You sound like a lovely neighbour OP Flowers

NerrSnerr · 28/09/2017 21:35

I agree with the other advice posted. If you haven't changed any details this would be really identifiable though, not sure it would help the awful situation she's in to know you're asking the internet about her.

smileyhappypeople · 28/09/2017 21:36

Makes me so sad to think about what they must be going through, I'd be lost if my hubby suddenly died!
Could you contact her parents?
With you being so rural anything you do might be difficult as she will know it is you that's done it.
You could try reaching out to her again but from what you have said I think she needs more than that. There are loads of charities that help grieving families... not sure if they would reach out to her if she doesn't contact them though? Could be worth a try?

nightshade · 28/09/2017 21:37

Maybe you should keep knocking the door...take some dinner over...take her bins out??...keep showing her you're there?

Droogan · 28/09/2017 21:39

I would avoid contacting SS for the moment. Could push the mum over the edge. Try to contact granny, and invite the DCs to something plausible, like the cinema, and try to get to know the mum.

wheresthel1ght · 28/09/2017 21:42

I agree that contacting her mother is a good idea.

Hiwever locally I would contact your health visitor as she likely has same one and speak to them, also I would ask to speak to the safeguarding lead at the school and explain exactly what you have heard. Explain that you are not gossiping but genuinely concerned that she needs help and isn't getting it. Unfortunately she may not take any of it as the kindness you seem to be offering so prepare yourself for the fall out.

Although if it was me, I would probably go over and try and talk to her face to face before doing any of the above. Explain you are in no way judging but you are worried about her and want to help if you can. Explain what you have heard and see what that opens up til her. If that doesn't work then my advice remains as the above.

ConcernedNeighbour17 · 28/09/2017 21:49

It's just so horrible being right next door and knowing how sad they all are. Unfortunately no address for her dm but I do have the husbands brothers details from the funeral announcement. I've never met him though and no idea what their relationship is like.

I want to go over and tell her I heard her and offer help again. But also concerned that will just make her be more careful about being heard.

I'll try and speak to the school again tomorrow. I don't think they've twigged I'm her next door neighbour, we live in an area where not a lot happens so I imagine there's a lot of people trying to get gossip.

Thank you all for advice.

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TiesThatBindMe · 28/09/2017 22:03

God that sounds awful. For both her and her son. I'm not sure whether I would butt out or butt in to be honest. I don't think I could just leave it alone though when I think about it. That was the 'done' thing years ago and we've reaped what was sewn. I'd be inclined to speak to social services to be honest. Poor woman is living through hell, but her child is too.

BrieAndChilli · 28/09/2017 22:06

I think you need to spell it out to the school who you are and what you have heard/seen
Hopefully they can seek help that the family needs

liger · 28/09/2017 22:14

How heartbreaking for all concerned, including you hearing it.

Please phone the NSPCC helpline, they are open 9sm till 5pm and you will be able to get more specific information and advice.

I also agree with clarifying with the school that you are neighbours and that you have specific concerns.

Another option more broadly could be the GP/ health visitor route.

Doublejeopardy · 28/09/2017 22:21

The safeguarding officer at school really is your best bet to get her children support quickly. I would insist on a meeting tomorrow and if they can't see you just sit down and say fine I will wait for the head to see me.

Thanks for looking out for her one day both she and her children will appreciate it x

Guiltybystander · 28/09/2017 22:21

She obviously wants to be left alone. Stop bothering her. You offered your help many times, she declined, yet you are unable to understand that she doeasn't want you near them.
You are trying to be helpful but she doesn't see it that way.

liger · 28/09/2017 22:28

But this is about the child as much as his mother. Only the child had had no opportunity to have a voice in what he wants.

ConcernedNeighbour17 · 28/09/2017 22:57

I know she wants to be left alone guilty. If she didn't have the children with her I would. I just think what I'm hearing her screaming at her children is hugely damaging for them. The screaming and the sobbing I've heard for the last couple of nights is just terrible.

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