So some new neighbors moved in not too long ago. They seemed nice enough... They speak English, so that is a plus. They mow their yard and take their trash cans back up to the house on the same day the trash man comes, etc. I could do without the basketball goal peering over our fence and the basketball noise that comes with it, but all was well.
Then about a week ago I was outside with Liam. I noticed a couple young boys jump into their teenage size pool as I walked by our mailboxes and headed to our private back yard with Liam. I hear them splashing around and having a good time... THEN, I hear the F-bomb multiple times... The 4th or 5th time I heard it, I heard myself scream at the top of my lungs, "WATCH YOUR MOUTHS!"
What?
I am suddenly the next door babysitter?
What just happened?
If I hear it again, am I going to run to their front door and report their behavior to their parents?
I really didn't know. I was jut appalled because my very impressionable child was in hearing range of their foul mouths. It got me all anxious and fidgety the rest of the day.
Then today... I am outside again and hear not only the F word but a few other colorful ones. Mind you, these kids are like 10 and under, they think they are pretty hot stuff... Or so it seems. I yelled the same phrase through the fence again and their silence didn't last as long. I wondered if a parent was actually right there and maybe that parent shrugged and motioned for them to go back to what they were doing. It was too hot to stay outside and find out what else may come out of their mouths.
So there's the story. What would you do? Or does this bother only me?
18 comments:
Kids that young talk like THAT? How appalling!!! I would be the same way- talk to them and see if you can get them to understand not to use that language around your young child.
I almost had steam coming out my ears the other night when kids decided to put off fireworks in our street just after the kids finally went to sleep. It was SO LOUD. And I wanted to tear into them. Then I realized- wow, I am an old fogey now!!!
Steph
oh wow. the community pool is near our back windows and i can hear conversations sometimes, but then again, I can just close the window and the noise is gone.
i think the parents should keep them from cursing, but beyond that, I can't offer any good advice :(
totally sucks though
As the mother of a tweenaged boy, I know they are worse when with their friends. They are braver and more testy. But I bet their parent's don't know and would take care of that if you went and talked to them about it. I guess as a mother of a tweenager, I'd almost rather the neighbor come talk to me about it because I'd certainly want to know. We don't curse very much in our home, but Austin has been caught a time or two trying it out. I nipped that in the butt real fast. I bet the neighbors will too.
I totally would have (and have) done the same thing. If your child is in earshot, it's your right to protect him. That's just wrong.
I would have done the same thing too. It's hard because they may do it more just because you don't want to hear it. In that case, there is nothing much you can do, but at least your tried! That's great that you're trying to protect Liam from such foul language.
It's so hard to know if they are merely being rebellious and trying out those harsh words( not unusual at that age) or if they are imitating what they hear at home. I'm guessing the first- you should talk to your neighbors. I would have yelled at them too. It's so annoying when neighbor's bad habits infringe on your space.
I have heard this kind of language at the playground and have never yet have the guts for a confrontation. I don't know if it would do any good-- why should they listen to me? I have no means of enforcement. And I don't want to make enemies for no reason. If they were talking to ME that way, though, or directly to my son, I would mention something.
I would talk to the parents-nicely. Then the next time I heard the boys yelling those words, I would march right over there and make the kids look you in the eye. Then tell them firmly, but not with anger, that they need to respect the neighborhood and not yell those words. I think that would rattle them (especially if you are making eye contact). That's what I do with little snots and I'm not longer afraid to get onto someone else's kid.
I HATE when kids curse! I have always hated it, even before I had a little one of my own. The worst is when parents laugh or think its funny that their kid uses those grown-up words.
As far as your neighbors, I have no idea... I am very non-confrontational person, so it would be totally uncomfortable for me to confront the kids. However, I probably would if it was a habitual problem. Like Stepherz said, If it happened to be my kid trying out the bad words, I'd want to know. But there are trashy families out there that don't even care if the kids curse.
I will go with you to talk to the parents. That is WAYYYY our of line and when their right to free speech infringes on Liam's right to a safe environment- It MUST STOP!!!
BTW- I have told kids to correct their behavior on many occasions. I see it as supporting the parents when the kids are acting in ways that would embarrass the parents:-)
When we going?
I'm the mother of a 12 year old boy and I certainly would want to know if my son was using bad language. I think you should talk to the parents.
When some boys started dropping the "n-word" at the Chick-fil-a a couple months ago I told Eliza nice and loud that we had to leave the playground because of the dirty boys that had just come in and that I didn't want her playing around dirty people. Hee Hee. Terry was mortified, but she hadn't heard what they said. My ears are better tuned to hearing such things-as I have to enforce it ALL DAY LONG! But, Terry could have had some woman screaming in the bank and she wouldn't have heard it!
Oh my. Some good advice above. Talk to the parents nicely. Eplain that you're sure they don't know it, but that the boys are experimenting with foul language and that you and your son are having to listen to it in your yard. They hopefully will be receptive and shocked. If not? Wellll... Never been down that road before. Here's to hoping that you don't get a feud!
I would go talk to the parents...
very gently and nicely...
you get more bee's w/ honey than vinegar....
so...
I would for sure say something....
no doubt!
You could tape them next time and take to the parents...??
Just an idea??
I am a teenager and I would do the same thing too!
oh, i would SOOO go the parents. i am definitely that mean ol' woman down the street. i can't STAND that (or any other disrespectful kid action)
Welllll......
what's goin on????
ps.. when the first step works, the reason is usually because it puts the kids in question in a group above the 'little kids' of which you are speaking.. you are secretly stroking their egos in a way in which rewards maturity - bonus for all.
Post a Comment