Would welcome perspectives on this…Our only son is 8 and at first we were happy the neighbours were friendly and seemed to want the kids be friends - we did too. Theirs are 8 and 6. It started out well but very soon it seemed like they were instantlY in our front garden the second we opened the door or our son was out. Any privacy went out the window they’d camp with toys, leave litter and be overall loud and a bit wild. Broke the fence twice and stepped all over my flowers - I admit I do like my gardening and I’ve asked them nicely not to step on them. Any subtleties were lost on the kids.
I like a bit of privacy and planning and do not enjoy being ambushed the second I’m home or whenever I want to play with just my son in the garden - it’s not an open invitation or free baby sitting. The final drop was last year when their eldest said to my son repeatedly and then to my face that I love flowers more than I love my son. I honestly lost it inside as that’s the kind of thing a child usually hears in their own home.. in any case not a pleasant comment or smth I want my son to be around.
I’ve def turned cold towards them and avoiding them and they don’t seem to bloody get the message!! I may have to be rude…/should I say to the mother what was said? I’m fairly certain it came from her tbh. Also she ostentatiously engages with my son when I very obviously want to avoid her.
the problem is my son would love to have friends in the street and although I’ve explained to him that wasn’t a nice thing to say he still asks to go out and play with them. Not sure he understands and I feel like the bad guy. I know. I can’t force his friendships but this situation really really pushes EVERY button in me and I simply don’t like them. What would be the best approach? Tia