Opinions/thoughts ...

[sherrardk]

The people next door have 4/5 year old twins and a little one who is probably about 18 months old. They are very quiet, never hear any playing or the baby crying, etc. Occasionally the parents have a right dong-dong which would put Eastenders to shame. I don't know them, but will say hello, etc in the street and in the playground. The husband occasionally does some work for my husband (but being blokes they probably know no mo about each other than they did before they worked together). Today, I was upstairs and heard the baby crying (not temper, just ordinary crying) and out of the blue she started screeching 'shut it', then 'I said shut it!' followed by her screaming. I was tempted to go round (don't know what I would have said though). I saw her up the school later and the baby is obviously not well (but wasn't crying and wasn't crying last night either so she wasn't tired from a lack of sleep). Obviously I am concerned but what would you do/have done?

[4getmenot]

call social services

[mummyh]

probably nothing! We all lose it from time to time with the kids and scream like a banshee. Why do you say baby was obviously not well? Maybe if you're that worried, you should have asked her a general question about baby when you saw her at the school? Just a poilite enquiry about baby's wellbeing might have helped?

[tiggerblue10]

Tough one Sherrard. I would log anything that concerns you further into a diary for a bit before doing anything else though.

[4getmenot]

yer dont call social yet but note evrything down is a good idea

[sherrardk]

Hi forget - I'm not nosey (just bored) and there is someone who calls there regularly who I know from somewhere who I think is some kind of health professional. I don't want to make things worse but would hate anything to happen (she was screeching at this poor child).

[welshlibranr]

Difficult one her sher!............but if the situation continues, and you're worried about the safety of these children, then call Social Services, and explain your concerns, then it's down to them to investigate and decide if they need to intervene, you're not shopping the parents!........you're just trying keep the children safe!..........that is what I would do.......

[sherrardk]

Hi all - the baby was in it's pushcahair and obviously under the weather (it's not hard to tell). I can honestly say that I have never lost it like that with mine - this wasn't shouting at bad behaviour, etc. This was screeching like a banshee. I was literally waiting to hear if she hit the child (as presumably the baby would have cried with pain/shock). I was/am worried about it.

[mummyh]

Would observe from distance and offer a listening ear first - don't jump in with both feet.

[mummyh]

If you've never lost it with yours like that, you're lucky! Unless kid sounded like it was being hit, I don't see that a mum shouting like that at her own child is much of anyone's business. obviously it's a different issue if the child is being harmed, but unless you have hard evidence...

[boxtops]

If you are really worried and it carries on, you can always ring the NSPCC and keep your call anonymous NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

[welshlibranr]

I can only say again sher, if you're worried still, then call Social Services, that's what they're there for!........they can at least then monitor the situation, who knows these children may already be on the Child Protection Register!............

[sherrardk]

Hi all - I understand that people lose it with their kids, but this was more than that, she was screeching at an eighteen month old baby who is clearly unwell. I didn't hear it crying last night (and when there is any noise from next door you can hear it). I will just keep my ears open and see how things go.

[mummyh]

oh come on!!! This is getting a bit sensationalist here. I agree you need to have a little neighbourly concern, but talking of Social Services and NSPCC is a bit premature given there is no sign of anything other than a mum losing her cool.

[roxie_09]

thats a tough one.. its hard bringing up 3 kids etc, but to lose it how you describe is a little worrying.. i think you should follow the advice already given and keep a diary for a set amount of time, if a trend occurs or you grow increasingly worried then you should take it further x

[sherrardk]

Hi mummyh - that's why I was asking for opinions, Social Services seems too extreme for screeching (and that's what is was) but doing nothing doesn't sit comfortably either. Lots of people he did nothing when they were convened about the neglected state of some children in the village and they are now in care and the parents are in prison. Probably was nothing, but it panicked me, hence the post.

[welshlibranr]

Good idea sher, but if you still have concerns in a couple of days, then please phone Social Services, the Child Protection Team will look into the problems, I suspect that the visitors they have are probably social workers, and they need to know what's happening there, in all honesty, they cannot be there all the time, they rely on info from residents to protect children a lot of the time.................

[tiggerblue10]

something similar happened to me with my nasty neighbour a few years ago. She was shouting at screaming obscenities at her two little girls and she left them home alone one night as well. When I saw the children out of the window they seemed fine though happlily playing in the garden so I don't think she was hitting them.

If the child does look unwell then that may be a different matter. If you are concerned about the childs health as well as its welfare then yes, contact a professional.

[sherrardk]

Hi tigger - I think the little one has just got a cold (looked all snuffly), but I will keep an eye (and ear) on the situation.

[tiggerblue10]

Nothing serious then which is good. Just keep a record of dates and times it occurs.

[anneasquith]

hi sher. what do you mean by " not well " if you have any concerns re this child you should inform social services. number in the phone book