Are my neighbours wierd or is it just me?

[annie0000]

I won't bore you with all the issues I have with the family a couple of doors away, but I really can't believe what they did on Saturday.

It was their sons 6th birthday - they also have an older daughter who is about 11. They organised a party for a few of his school friends and neighbours kids at a local soft play centre - (this is quite unusual for them to go to any effort). However, my other neighbour who's son and daughter were at the party told me that they dropped off the Birthday Boy - greeted a few guests then b*ggered off to garage to buy a new wheel trim for their car - returning at the end of the party.

Whilst there are staff there, It is not supervised as such and also, it was their sons party. Regardless of whether the staff were being paid to watch, I think that I would like to attend my own sons party.

Is it me, or is that weird?

p.s. my other neighbour stayed to ensure that there was at least one adult there that actually knew the kids.

[sleepyj]

omg how bad is that ....poor boy ..

[annie0000]

actually sleepy - he is a little sh*t, but then no wonder....

[redcrx]

i have to agree that i think thats weird! Id never want to miss my sons birthday celebrations. And Im sure that those parents whose children went to the party would be a bit miffed to find out that his parents werent there to keep an eye on things.

and i thought it bad when my friend threw a party for her kids and one parent turned up 2 hours before the party and left his son there whilst she was doing all the prep. The child wasnt even collected until and hour after party finished either and the dad didnt even say thanks or anything.

[cazzz1975]

quite typical these days, family has taken a step back in favour of money and possessions

[poohshunny]

I agree with you annie! I wonder if any of the parents of the party guests do too. If my child was at one of these types of parties, I'd assume that the parents of the birthday child would be there. I'd be a bit annoyed if they weren't.

[annie0000]

thats terrible red - its a shame, but that kid will never get invited again.

[sleepyj]

maybe he is a little sh it ...but no wonder how do they treat him ....some people are just so selfish !

[LoftyLottie]

Very strange annie0000. However, although it pains me to say it, there seem to be quite a few parents whose main priority is to get the kids out of the way. I don't know why they have kids in the first place. They are only kids for such a short time and I treasured every minute I spent with mine. As for not being at their child's birthday party, that is just awful, but I cease to be surprised as the way some parents act.

I would not be too pleased if I my child was invited to a party where there was no parental supervision!!

[pug100]

Most play center staff are only there for emergencies and not to supervise the children. That is parental responsibility not the play centre and there will be a sign to that effect prominently displayed. As it was a party the parents of the birthday boy will also be responsible for welfare of the guests. Imagine going to someone's house for a party and the hosts going out elsewhere for the evening. Bad form.

[LoftyLottie]

My goodness, there were no answers when I started my screed!!

[redcrx]

oh she'll invite him again. she didnt say a word to the dad and its not the childs fault. Shes a big softy and it seems people take advantage of that.

[annie0000]

I am not sure if many of the parents would be aware, as they were there when the party started and there when it finished. It is only cos my other neighbour stayed that she knew about it.

They also think it is fine for him to be out playing unsupervised and I spend most of my time telling him off for damanging plants and being on other peoples property.

I have had them at my door in the dark asking if he is playing at my house as they have no idea where he is. I told them that he would never be at my house so not to bother trying. They have a habit of going out while he is in other peoples houses.

Im guessing that that is why my sons weren't invited to the party - lol.

[redcrx]

lofty, youll have to learn to type faster! :)

[LoftyLottie]

Cazz1975. I regret that you are so right. One of the most important things a child can receive from parents is their time. You can never in any way make up for that in other ways.

[redcrx]

OMG annie they let the boy out alone at the age of 6?? Am i naive in thinking that my son will not be allowed out without me taking him and collecting him until hes 10 at least!?

[LoftyLottie]

It's not the typing that's slow these days redcrx, it's the brain!!

[annie0000]

I agree with you sleepy and others, that is why he behaves the way he does - his behaviour did improve for a while when another neighbour had him playing with son a lot and was actually disciplining him appropriately - sadly, he got fed up looking after an extra child for most of his weekend with no thanks at all and the behaviour has gone back downhill.

And yes, I do wonder why they bothered to have them. The 11 year old comes home form school every day to an empty house until they come home between 5 and 6

[LoftyLottie]

Poor little chap. Undoubtedly, he will go one to have kids and they will be treated just the same, ad infinitum. How on earth do you break the chain?!

[debbbie33]

whats wrong with letting a child out to play on their own at 6 years. so long as you know where they are and you check on them from time to time. obviously if you live in a big city its not practical but we live in a village and mine were allowed out to play at 5 years. doesnt make me a bad parent.

[annie0000]

No red - actually they let him out to play by himself since he was 4 - I have to say we do stay in a nice area and it is a culdesac, but apart from the safety issues, he also has no idea of what respect for other peoples property is or what is appropriate behaviour outdoors.

My kids at 6 and 7 can go outside by themselves, but the boundary s they have are where I can see from the front window - and I sit and watch them out the window. That has only been since this year - prior to this, I would stand out and watch them, or they could only play in the back garden.