Verbally abusive neighbor striking again

[Anonymous]

I can’t remember, but I feel like I posted last summer about our elderly neighbors who have their grass cut by their grandson, and the whole time the boy cuts the lawn, the stepfather of the boy stands and watches and verbally abuses the boy. The elderly neighbor is aware and I did sort of casually confronted them last summer about it saying something like, “stepdad sure is a harsh critic” and they replied that they know, that’s what he’s like, and laughed it off, so they are aware.

He’s cut the grass twice now and both times, even with my windows closed, the dad can be heard shouting such horrible insults at the boy OVER the lawnmower. I can only imagine what he says behind closed doors. I can’t listen to this every weekend all summer again this year and just say nothing. You all advised me to deal with it because it will only make it worse to confront the man, but will it? How can I stand by and listen to this abuse? What do I do?

[Anonymous]

Call CPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember, but I feel like I posted last summer about our elderly neighbors who have their grass cut by their grandson, and the whole time the boy cuts the lawn, the stepfather of the boy stands and watches and verbally abuses the boy. The elderly neighbor is aware and I did sort of casually confronted them last summer about it saying something like, “stepdad sure is a harsh critic” and they replied that they know, that’s what he’s like, and laughed it off, so they are aware.

He’s cut the grass twice now and both times, even with my windows closed, the dad can be heard shouting such horrible insults at the boy OVER the lawnmower. I can only imagine what he says behind closed doors. I can’t listen to this every weekend all summer again this year and just say nothing. You all advised me to deal with it because it will only make it worse to confront the man, but will it? How can I stand by and listen to this abuse? What do I do?

oh man, that is tough! I feel like it effects not only his son but you too since you are hearing it consistently. Is there a way to inform mom is my first instinct but in a way that is discreet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember, but I feel like I posted last summer about our elderly neighbors who have their grass cut by their grandson, and the whole time the boy cuts the lawn, the stepfather of the boy stands and watches and verbally abuses the boy. The elderly neighbor is aware and I did sort of casually confronted them last summer about it saying something like, “stepdad sure is a harsh critic” and they replied that they know, that’s what he’s like, and laughed it off, so they are aware.

He’s cut the grass twice now and both times, even with my windows closed, the dad can be heard shouting such horrible insults at the boy OVER the lawnmower. I can only imagine what he says behind closed doors. I can’t listen to this every weekend all summer again this year and just say nothing. You all advised me to deal with it because it will only make it worse to confront the man, but will it? How can I stand by and listen to this abuse? What do I do?

oh man, that is tough! I feel like it affects not only his son but you too since you are hearing it consistently. Is there a way to inform mom is my first instinct but in a way that is discreet?

She’s there, too! They have family dinner every weekend after the lawn is cut. If I can hear it, I know she can. She fully knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call CPS

I’ve considered. I worry about remaining anonymous. I’m honestly a little scared of him.

[Anonymous]

call cps and the child's school if you can.

[Anonymous]

Stay out of it. It's awful but he's not physically abusing the kid, so CPS will do nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay out of it. It's awful but he's not physically abusing the kid, so CPS will do nothing.

How does OP, or you for that matter, know this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay out of it. It's awful but he's not physically abusing the kid, so CPS will do nothing.

OP here. This is what I figured. It’s really a shame. He’s verbally abusing the child and making sure the whole entire neighborhood hears it. How humiliating it must be for the boy. I feel just awful every weekend for the hour or so it takes him to cut the lawn. It has to feel 1000x worse for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t remember, but I feel like I posted last summer about our elderly neighbors who have their grass cut by their grandson, and the whole time the boy cuts the lawn, the stepfather of the boy stands and watches and verbally abuses the boy. The elderly neighbor is aware and I did sort of casually confronted them last summer about it saying something like, “stepdad sure is a harsh critic” and they replied that they know, that’s what he’s like, and laughed it off, so they are aware.

He’s cut the grass twice now and both times, even with my windows closed, the dad can be heard shouting such horrible insults at the boy OVER the lawnmower. I can only imagine what he says behind closed doors. I can’t listen to this every weekend all summer again this year and just say nothing. You all advised me to deal with it because it will only make it worse to confront the man, but will it? How can I stand by and listen to this abuse? What do I do?

oh man, that is tough! I feel like it affects not only his son but you too since you are hearing it consistently. Is there a way to inform mom is my first instinct but in a way that is discreet?

She’s there, too! They have family dinner every weekend after the lawn is cut. If I can hear it, I know she can. She fully knows.

Maybe she's being verbally abused too and scared?

[Anonymous]

Maybe someone has been in a situation like this can give feedback?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call CPS

+1

[Anonymous]

CPS will do nothing and the stepson is probably an adult with a stepdad with dementia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stay out of it. It's awful but he's not physically abusing the kid, so CPS will do nothing.

No this is completely unacceptable.

OP call CPS ask them to check in on the child.

[Anonymous]

I prefer and recommend staying out of people's business but there has to be a solution here to anonymously help this kid.