I just made my neighbor mad...

[Mermaid02]

My son is 12 and the neighbors have an 8 year old- they sometimes play at the neighbors or here- swingset, toss, etc. Today my neighbor sent her 3 year old over to play too. I told her that in my opinion he needed adult supervision and I wasn't going to do that and the older boys couldn't be responsible for him either (they both have Aspergers- mine and the 8 year old) She wasn't happy and said if the little one couldn't play then the 8 year old couldn't be over here either.

Do you think I was wrong? I feel badly because the older boy is certainly fine to be over here but I do NOT want to watch a toddler.

 

[happygirl]

Nope, I think a 3 year is to little to be watched by a 8 year old

 

[mumom95]

I don't think you were wrong. The 3 year old does need adult supervision, and unless she is going to pay you to do it or do it herself, she shouldn't be sending the three year old over.

Sounds like my BIL and SIL. They will just dump their kid on anyone around, so they can have adult time. Most of the time they don't even ask.

 

[SandrA9810]

you're in the right. Especially since they have aspergers she shouldn't be giving him more responsibility. It's one thing if both families are outside spending time together. Another for the boy to be in your home. Plus aren't the boys doing something that probably wouldn't interest the 3yr old??

I always wanted to follow my big sis around, but I usually didn't fit in with her friends or with what they were doing.

 

[binny]

We had one of those in our neighbourhood too. Little brother went everywhere because he was "too loud" to be at home with his Grandparents. Once in awhile I didnt mind but I wasnt going to babysit for them. A quick talk with other neighbourhood mums had me wondering if the kids were EVER at home. They seemed to drift from one of our houses to the next. So sad.

They finally got the picture and apprently found friends for the littler guy. The older kids were 12 and the little one was 6, that was a huge difference in the ages and the 12 year olds didnt want anything to do with him.

 

[Evil Genius]

Your house, your rules. If the three year old got hurt on your property it could have been a huge problem

 

[Mom2Nick]

My guess is the 8 yo is usually in charge of the 3yo while at home and when the "babysitter" is out playing Mom actually has to watch her other child. If the baby can't go with the babysitter then the babysitter has to stay home.

 

[disykat]

You were right. The three year old should be supervised, and not by two older boys who will probably be distracted and focused on something else as they play together.

 

[a1tinkfans]

My son is 12 and the neighbors have an 8 year old- they sometimes play at the neighbors or here- swingset, toss, etc. Today my neighbor sent her 3 year old over to play too. I told her that in my opinion he needed adult supervision and I wasn't going to do that and the older boys couldn't be responsible for him either (they both have Aspergers- mine and the 8 year old) She wasn't happy and said if the little one couldn't play then the 8 year old couldn't be over here either.

Do you think I was wrong? I feel badly because the older boy is certainly fine to be over here but I do NOT want to watch a toddler.

Good for you, and NO you were not wrong!
FREE BABYSITTING for her is not my idea of a fun afternoon
I say, too bad her other child who lost out because of Moms selfishness, I would have done the SAME thing.

 

[KirstenB]

She's wrong, you're right! Watching a 3 yr old is a lot of work, in case she wasn't aware!

 

[minkydog]

She's wrong, you're right! Watching a 3 yr old is a lot of work, in case she wasn't aware!

Oh, I'm sure the other mother is VERY aware--that's why she sent him over.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

You're right.

 

[Nancy]

You are right.


We have the neighborhood pool. The older kids would come over to swim and the littlest one was too small to be in there without an adult. Sure the brothers "could" have watched him but we all know how a bunch of kids get when playing, especially in a pool and I did not want to be out there watching him..it was enough to keep looking out at the older ones once in a while.

Anyhow, the Mom asked me if it was ok if she brought him over to swim; she didn't mind being in the pool with all the kids. My answer was "sure, if that is what you want to do I'm ok with it"

She was great, she'd come over with homemade cookies and brownies and sometimes bring drinks along for the kids. Everyone needs a neighbor like her.

 

[LaurenLC]

You were honest, not wrong at all.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I don't think you were wrong at all. She sure tried to guilt you into feeling that way though.

 

[Stacerita]

You're right. Sounds like the mom was just looking for a little free babysitting.

 

[Veronica Lodge]

That is sad for the children, regardless of who is right.

 

[PaulaSue]

OP, she was wrong and just mad you were not suckered into free babysitting.

 

[RitaZ.]

OP, she was wrong and just mad you were not suckered into free babysitting.

What she said!

 

[Imzadi]

My guess is the 8 yo is usually in charge of the 3yo while at home and when the "babysitter" is out playing Mom actually has to watch her other child. If the baby can't go with the babysitter then the babysitter has to stay home.

Yep, this is exactly what I thought. She depends on the older child to keep the 3 year old occupied. How sad.

OP, she was wrong and just mad you were not suckered into free babysitting.

Yep! She thought she could palm both of the off on to you. Since you wouldn't take the little one, she needed the older one back to watch him.